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HISTOR 


NATURAL 


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OOLOGY OF NEW ENGLAND: 


EGGS, NESTS, AND BREEDING HABITS 


BIRDS KNOWN TO BREED IN NEW ENGLAND, 


Colored Illustrations of their Eggs. 


BLWIN As CAPEN: 


BOSTON: 
ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, 
24 FRANKLIN STREET. 
1886. 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 


in 2011 with funding from 
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 


http://www.archive.org/details/ologyofnewengl0OOcape 


ws wT 


PREFACE. 


In offering this volume to the public, I would say that my chief aim has 
been to render this work as useful and true to nature as possible. That the 
need of such a work has long been felt by the student of this branch of Natural 
History is very evident. I have devoted much time and study towards its comple- 
tion, and I shall leave my readers to judge whether I have succeeded in the 
undertaking. In the illustrations I have made careful selections from many large 
collections to obtain the most typical, and in many cases where there is consid- 
erable variation, the most characteristic specimens. It is all but impossible for 
a single individual to be so fortunate as to observe the nidification of every 
bird, and I have therefore freely quoted from all accessible authentic sources, 
giving due acknowledgment for the benefit received. I had written more elab- 
orate and lengthy accounts, but upon consideration, though it has been very 
tempting to enter into the general description of the birds, I have endeavored 
to confine myself strictly to the eggs, nests, and breeding habits. 

This volume is intended for the student in odlogy and for the great mass 
of readers who have not the means to form costly collections, nor the time 
which this pursuit would necessarily involve. I hope, however, that the more 
advanced scientists will find something in it to interest them. I have adopted 
the classification and nomenclature of Dr. Coues, of Washington, D. C. 

I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to many friends for hearty assistance 


and valuable information, —to Professor S. F. Baird, for the access he has given 


me to the large and unrivalled collection at the National Museum; to Mr. G. A. 
Boardman, for information concerning some of the birds of Maine; to the Forbes 
Lithograph Company, for the excellent manner in which they have reproduced 
the plates; to Mr. C. J. Maynard and to many other kind friends, for innumerable 


services, —to all of whom I here take pleasure in expressing my gratitude. 


CanTon, Nov. 1, 188s. 


PLATE | 


IS 


See athoehenmiaellll Stenerneee teen ncieeamnael 
Fig. |. Robin. Fie. 7, Tawny Thrush. 
» .2 Wood Thrush. « 6.9.10. Mocking Bird. 
» .8.4 Hermit Thrush. « Il Cat Bird. 
» .5.6.0live-backed Thrush. » 12.18. Brown Thrush. 


Fié. 14.15. Blue Bird. 


OOLOGY OF NEW ENGLAND. 


Robin. 


Turdus migratorius. 
PLaTE I. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Ecos. — Usually four, sometimes five, and very rarely six in number. They 
are of a handsome greenish blue, and normally without’spots, but are occasionally 
speckled with reddish or dark brown. They measure from 1.10 to 1.25 in length 
by .75 to 87 of an inch in breadth. 

Nests. — Composed of straw, roots, moss, leaves, and the like, well cemented 
together with mud, making them strong, durable, and bulky structures. They are 


lined with fine grasses, moss, or pine-needles. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The breeding habits of the Robin are so familiar that anything said seems 
superfluous. It is an abundant summer resident of all New England, many remain- 
ing in the southern portion throughout the year. The majority, however, arrive 
from the South about the middle of March, and begin building about the middle of 
April, or a little later, in orchard, garden, and evergreen trees, stone walls, old build- 
ings, and in fact almost anywhere, as they seem to be one of the least particular 
of our birds as to choice of situation for a nesting site. As many as three broods 
are sometimes reared in a seasom 


2 (5) 


Wood Thrush; Song Thrush. 
Turdus mustelinus. 
PLATES I. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— The usual complement is four, often five. They are greenish blue 
in color, resembling those of the Robin, and measure from 1 to 1.12 in length by 
.68 to .75 of an inch in breadth. 

Nests. — They vary somewhat in construction, but are usually composed of 
moss and dead leaves, and sometimes twigs and mud are added. They are lined 
with fine grasses, moss, or fibrous roots, and are generally placed in a small shrub or 


tree from three to six feet from the ground. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


This unrivalled songster makes its appearance about the 1oth of May, in the 
three southern States of New England, and seldom goes north of Massachusetts to 
rear its young. It haunts the shady glens and hollows along the borders of swamps, 


ponds, and running brooks, and has its nest built and eggs laid by the 1st of June. 


Two broods are occasionally reared. 


$$ —__—__—-— 


Hermit Thrush. 
Turdus pallast. 
PuaTeE I. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— From three to five, usually four in number; are greenish blue, 
resembling those of the Wood Thrush, but are smaller and generally more 
elongated. They vary in dimensions from .96 to .87 in length by .65 to .58 of an 
inch in breadth. 

Nests.— Usually placed on the ground; are outwardly composed of moss, 
leaves, grass, and twigs, and inwardly of finer materials of the same nature or with 


pine-needles, the whole being loosely constructed. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is seen in the two southern States of New England early in April, 
from where they steadily pass on to the three northern. A few, however, remain in 
(6) 


certain parts of Massachusetts to perform the duties of incubation. They breed 
quite commonly on Cape Cod, especially in the vicinity of Hyannis, and sparjngly 


through other portions of Eastern Massachusetts. 


—_<_<—2 > _- 


Olive-backed Thrush. 
Turdus swainsont, 
PuiateE I, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Generally four, sometimes five in number, are of a light greenish blue, 
spotted with pale reddish, dark brown and lilac, chiefly at the larger end, and often 
finely blotched. They average about .88 by .66 of an inch. 

Nests.— Composed of small twigs, moss, etc. lined with moss and fibrous 


rootlets, and are placed in a low tree or shrub from two to ten feet from the ground. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
A common summer resident of Northern New England, where it arrives about 
the last of May or first of June, and immediately directs its attention towards 


building its nest and rearing its young. 


=< 


Tawny Thrush; Wilson’s Thrush. 
Lurdus fuscescens. 
PLATE, 2, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces, — Usually four, sometimes three or five; are of a greenish blue, varying 
in intensity of color, some bordering on the blue, while others have a decided green- 
ish cast. They measure about .85 by .62 of an inch. 

Nests.— Placed on the ground in tussocks, occasionally in a low bush, or 
rarely in a tree five or six feet up, in swamps, and are constructed of grass, leaves, 


and grape-vine bark, lined with grass, fine roots, or horsehair. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
Quite abundant in the three southern States of New England as a summer resi- 
dent, but not as common in the three northern. It arrives about the first week in May. 


(7) 


Mocking-bird. 
Mimus polyglottus. 
Puate I. 


DESCRIPTION, 


Eccs.— Usually four and sometimes five in number, and average about 1 by 
75 of an inch. They vary somewhat in ground color and shade of markings. 
(See Plate I, Figs. 8, 9, and 10.) . 

Nests. — Placed in a hush or tree about three or four feet from the ground, 
and are composed of twigs, weed-stalks, leaves, grasses, and pieces of cotton or wool 


coarsely put together and lined with fibrous roots. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The Mocking-bird, though of very rare occurrence, has been found breeding in 
all of the three southern States of New England, and is now regarded as a regular 


rare summer resident. 


—~< 6 > 


Catbird. 


Mimus carolinensis. 
Piate I. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Usually four in number, often five. They are of a handsome dark 
green with a bluish cast, and measure about .go by .70 of an inch. 

Nests. — Outwardly constructed of coarse materials, of twigs, weeds, dry grass, 
dead leaves, strips of bark, cast-off snake-skins, pieces of newspaper, wood shavings, 
old rags, and in fact anything that can be conveniently worked enters into the 
composition, They are usually lined with fibrous roots and occasionally with pine- 
needles. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Catbirds are rather rare summer residents in the northern part of New 
England, but are abundant in the southern portion, They arrive about the first 
week in May, and the greater part of them have their nests made and eggs laid by 
the first week in June. The nests are rarely placed in the deep woods, the usual 
resorts being margins of thickets about habitations, the favorite situation being 
often barberry and lilac bushes. Two sets of eggs are usually laid during a season. 


(3) 


Brown Thrush. 
LLarporhynchus rufus. 
Pare ls 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— Commonly four or five in number. They vary in shape, are pale 
greenish or dirty white in ground color, thickly and minutely dotted over the entire 
surface with various shades of brown, often nearly concealing the ground color, and 
measure about 1.05 by .80 of an inch. 

Nests. — Are constructed of twigs or weed-stalks, over which are dead leaves, 
grass, fibrous roots, and strips of cedar or grape-vine bark, lined with fine rootlets, 
fine grass, or horsehair. They are placed on the ground, or in a low bush or tree 
near it. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

A common summer resident in Southern New England, and rather rare in the 

northern part. It arrives from the South about the last of April or first of May. 


It breeds about the middle of May. But one brood is usually reared. 


7. 


Bluebird. 
Stata sialis. 
PrateE I, 
DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs. — Four or five in number, often six; measure about .85 by .65 of an inch, 
and vary from a pale greenish blue to pure white, but are normally pale blue. 

Nests.— Consist of a few straws and feathers carelessly put together, usually 
placed in a natural cavity of a tree, or often in a box or other receptacle put up for 
their accommodation. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Bluebird is an abundant summer resident in Southern New England, but 
is rather rare in the northern parts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It 
makes its appearance from the last of February to the first of April, according to 
the advancement of the season. Two sets of eggs are laid, and sometimes three, 
during a season. 


3 (9) 


Golden-crested Kinglet. 
Regulus satrapa, 
Puate II. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Are of a reddish cream color, minutely dotted with purplish and light 


red, and average about .54 by .4o0 of an inch. 


NEST AND BREEDING HABITS. 

This species is a summer resident to the three northern States in New England 
only, laying their eggs about the first of June. A nest with young was found by 
Mr. H. D. Minot the 16th of July, 1875, of which he says: “In a forest of the 
White Mountains, which consisted chiefly of evergreens and white birches. Hayv- 
ing several times observed the bird there, I at last detected them in the act of 
conveying food to their young, and soon tracked them to their nest. This hung 


four feet above the ground, from a spreading hemlock bough, to the twigs of which 


Lox 
fe) 
it was firmly fastened. It was globular, with an entrance in the upper part, and 
was composed of hanging moss, ornamented with bits of dead leaves, and lined 


chiefly with feathers. It contained six young birds, but, much to my regret, no 


” 


eggs, 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 
LPolioptila -wrulea. 
PuaTeE II. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Four in number, often five; average about .62 by .47 of an inch; are 


ereenish white, blue tinged, in ground color, spotted with reddish and dark brown, 
and a little obscure lilac, chiefly at the greater end, often tending to form a conflu- 
ent ring. 


of 


mn 


Nests. — Composed of spiders’ webbing, interwoven with fine grasses, bit 
leaves, lichens, fern down, cotton, or wool, and small feathers, the whole being nicely 
shingled over the outside with bits of lichens, which are firmly fastened with cob- 
webs and silky fibres of various plants, and sparsely lined inside with cattle-hair and 
a few soft feathers. This forms an elastic, firm, and beautiful little nest, and meas- 
ures inside about two inches in depth by one anda fourth in width. The walls 
are about one half an inch in thickness, nearly parallel, and slightly contracted at 
the top. 

(10) 


om 


N 


12 


14 


Fig. |.2.Golden-crested Kinglet. Fig. 9. Red-bellied Nuthatch. 
.3. Blue-éray Gnatcatcher. « . 10. Brown Creeper. 
.4.5.Black-capped Chicka dee... . ||. Great Carolina Wren. 
.6.7. Hudsonian .l2.18. House Wren. 


8. White-bellied Nuthatch. . ./4 Winter 
Fig. 15 Long-billed Marsh Wren. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a rare summer visitor in Southern New England, 
generally nesting in the high hard-wood trees, from ten to fifty feet from the 


ground. 


—=3 > 


Black-capped Chickadee. 
Parus atricapillus, 
Birra Ue 
DESCRIPTION, 

Ecos. — Six to ten in number, white in color, spotted with reddish brown and 
a few lilac blotches, and measure about .63 by .50 of an inch. 

Nests.— Placed in holes in trees, deserted woodpeckers’ nests, and’ old 
stumps. Decayed white birches in swamps are favorite nesting sites of this 
species, where they usually make their own excavations, from six to eighteen 
inches in depth. At the bottom of the hole is placed rabbit's hair, feathers, 


wool, moss, strips of bark, silky fibres of plants, fern down, etc. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Chickadee is an abundant resident throughout New England at all sea- 
sons of the year. They are gregarious, moving about through our woodlands and 
orchards in winter in small flocks, but separating into pairs as the breeding season 


approaches. Two sets of eggs are commonly laid in a season. 


Hudsonian Chickadee. 
Larus hudsonicus, 
PEATE (LT, 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs and Nests. — Similar to those of the preceding species, but the eggs are 


smaller, averaging about .45 by .55 of an inch. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

This bird breeds sparingly in Northern Maine and probably New Hampshire 
and Vermont. The nesting habits are much the same as those of the Black-capped 
Chickadee. 

(11) 


White-bellied Nuthatch. 
Sita carolinensis, 
Puate II. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually four in number. They are white, with a roseate tint when 
unblown, and quite evenly spotted over the entire surface with light brownish red 
intermingled with dark brown and lilac, and average about .80 by .60 of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed at the bottom of an excavation made in a decayed tree or 


stump, and are composed of soft grasses, feathers, hair, ete. 


BREEDING: HABITS. 


This species is a common summer resident throughout New England, nesting 
early in the season, about the first of May, and even earlier. But one brood is 


reared. 


=< oe 


Red-bellied Nuthatch. 


Sitta canadensis. 
BEATE ST, 
DESCRIPTION, 
Nests anp Eacs.— Are the same as those of the white-bellied, but the eggs 


are smaller. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


A regular summer resident in the three northern States of New England, and 
has been recorded as having nested in Massachusetts. In breeding habits this 
species differs somewhat from that of the preceding, as has lately been recorded by 
several ornithologists, in having an extremely small hole for its entrance, and smear- 
ing the outside with pitch, making it difficult for the bird to enter, the feathers often 


sticking to the pitch. 


Ee — ———— 


Brown Creeper. 
Certhia familiaris. 
PLATE IT. 

DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — From five to eight in number, measuring .55 to .64 in length by .45 to 
50 of an inch in breadth. They are dull white, finely dotted with reddish brown, 
with or without the paler spots, especially about the greater end. The difference 

(12) 


in the times when fresh eggs have been found leads to the inference that two 
broods may be reared annually (N. E. B. L., 1883, pp. 91, 92). 
Nests. — Usually placed in a rift or crevice between the bark and the main 


wood, composed of dried grass and similar material. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Brown Creeper spends the summer in the woods and forests of all New 
England, but more abundantly in the northern portion than in the southern, Mr. 
Brewster, who closely studied the nidification and other breeding habits of the 
Creeper in the pine woods of Maine, has given us the best paper by far we possess 
upon this subject (Bull. Nuttall Club, IV., 1879, pp. 199, 200), fully describing the 
curious position of the nest, and giving other particulars of interest. He found 


fresh eggs as late as June 23. 


Great Carolina Wren. 
Thrvothorus ludovicianus. 
PuaTeE II, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — From four to seven, usually five. They average about .73 by .58 of 
an inch; are white in ground color, thickly spotted with reddish brown and lilac, 
chiefly about the larger end. Others are more evenly and sparingly sprinkled over 
the whole surface, and are sometimes slightly blotched. 

Nests.— Those which I collected in the South were composed of strips of 
bark and straw, lined with fine grasses and hog’s hair, placed in hollows of decayed 
stumps, among the roots of fallen trees; and one nest I found on the ground under 
some large roots at the base of a tree. It was entirely concealed, and I should 


have passed it by but for flushing the bird. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
An extremely rare summer visitor to Southern New England, Massachusetts 
being its northern limit. That it breeds here seems beyond doubt, as many speci- 
mens have been seen and taken, during the breeding season, in Massachusetts, 


Rhode Island, and Connecticut. 
a (13) 


House Wren. 
Lroglodytes don, 
Piave II. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces. — From six to nine in number, and measure from .58 to .66 in length by 
.48 to .52 of an inch in breadth. They are reddish white in ground color, evenly 
and minutely marked with innumerable dottings of light brownish red and purple, 
sometimes so thickly as to completely hide the ground color; and in others chiefly 
gathered about the crown, forming a confluent ring. 

Nests.— Placed in holes in trees, posts, boxes put up for their convenience, 
and in many odd nooks and quaint situations. I knew a pair that nested in a gallon 
jug, for a number of successive years, which had been fastened in a cherry-tree for 
their accommodation. The nest is usually composed of an abundance of sticks and 
twigs, nearly filling the cavity in which it is placed, lined with fine grasses, feathers,. 
and other soft materials. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

These well-known happy and lively little birds arrive from the South about 
the end of April, and reside throughout New England, but are locally distributed. 
They soon begin to prepare for their descendants, usually selecting their abode near 


the habitations of man. Two sets of eggs are sometimes laid during a season. 


Winter Wren. 
Anorthura troglodytes. 
PLate II. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— From five to eight in number, usually about six; are white, spotted 
with light brownish red and sometimes a few markings of lilac, and average about 
68 by .50 of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed in hollow trees, stumps, logs, or under the roots of trees. 


Composed of moss, lined with fibrous roots, hair, and feathers. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
Mr. Wilham L. Kells, of Listowel, Ontario, has given us a very interesting 
account of the breeding habits of this bird in the Young Oologist, February, 1885, 


(14) 


in a part of which he says: “In the early part of June, 1878, I was out in a piece 
of low woods, about a mile south of this town, nest hunting. Seeing a large 
hemlock-tree partially turned up by the root, 1 thought that underneath it was a 
place likely to contain the nest of the Winter Wren, whose eggs I was now 
anxious to obtain for my collection. Gazing into this cavern, I sawa nest a few 
feet from the entrance, and a moment after a Wren popped on to the ground, and 
then flew out past me. This nest, like all the others, was composed of moss, in the 
form of a ball, and neatly lined with fine fibrous bark, hair, and Hawk feathers. 
It contained six eggs, which I found to have been several days incubated.” They 
are summer residents to the most northern portion of New England and 


northward. 


Long-billed Marsh Wren. 
Lilmatodytes palustris. 
Puate: II, 
DESCRIPTION, 


Eccs.— From six to ten in number, and measure about .66 by .50 of an inch. 
The ground color is a chocolate brown of varying intensity, finely spotted over the 
entire surface with shades of a darker brown than the ground color, tending to 
increase in size and number about the larger end. Fig. 15, Plate II., represents an 
average specimen, or is perhaps a trifle darker. 


Nests. — Are bulky structures, securely fastened to the reeds and coarse gras 


p 


g 
or sometimes a small bush. The general form is spherical, and they are composed 
of coarse grasses, small flags loosely woven together, and lined with fine, soft grass, 
and sometimes with down from various plants. The entrance is a small hole at 


the side. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


These Wrens make their appearance in the three southern New England 
States about the middle of May. Massachusetts is its northern breeding limit. 
They inhabit both the salt and fresh water marshes. But one brood is usually 
reared, which is early in June. 


(15) 


Short-billed Marsh Wren. 
Cistothorus stellaris. 
Pirate III. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— From six to eight in number; are white, without spots, and average 
about .60 by .45 of an inch. 
Nests. — Composed of grass, fastened to living grass growing on a tussock, 


which is bent and woven into the structure. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The breeding habits are not dissimilar to those of the preceding species, but 
the Short-billed Marsh Wren prefers the fresh to the salt water marshes, and, 
like the Long-billed, has a peculiarity of industriously building several nests, even 
after the eggs are laid in the one selected to rear its young, the male and female 
alternately taking part in building and incubating. But one brood is usually 


reared in a season. 


Black and White Creeper. 
Mniotilta varia. 
PuLaTeE III. 
DESCRIPTION, 

Eccs.— Commonly four or five in number; are white, of a creamy tinge, Irregu- 
larly spotted with fine dots of reddish brown, sometimes confluent about the greater 
end, and measure about .65 by .55 of an inch. 

Nests. — Composed of mosses, straw, and dead leaves, lined with soft grass, 
hair, or fern down, and are usually placed on the ground at the foot of a tree or 


stump, and rarely in a hole in a tree. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Black and White Creeper is a common summer resident over all New 
England, though less abundant in the northern than the southern portion. — It 
arrives about the last of April or first of May, and lays its eggs about the first 


of June. Two broods are often reared during a season. 


(16) 


Blue Yellow-backed Warbler. 


Pariula americana, 


PLATE, LUT. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces.— Are four in number, and rarely five. They are white in ground color, 


finely spotted with light reddish brown, intermingled with lilac, chiefly about the 
crown; others quite heavily blotched, and often tending to form a ring about the 
crown. They are usually laid the first week in June, and measure about .62 by .48 
of an inch. 

Nests. — Are purse-shaped, having a small hole for an entrance at the top or 
side. They are composed of hanging mosses and lichens, with a slight lining of 
pine grasses and a few hairs, occasionally without any lining whatever. They are 
usually placed near the end of a branch in a hemlock, cedar, oak, or old orchard 


tree, from ten to fifty feet from the ground. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


This active little bird is one of the handsomest of the family of Warblers. It 
arrives about the middle of May or earlier, and is a summer resident of all New 
England, but is more abundant in some portions than in others. The eggs are laid 
about the first of June, and a second set is almost invariably laid if robbed of 
the first. 


0 


Worm-eating Warbler. 
LTelmitherus vermivorus. 
Prats, DE: 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Four in number, averaging about .68 by .52 of an inch; are white, 
finely spotted with light reddish brown and lilac, chiefly about the crown. 
Nests. — Placed on the ground, and composed of dead leaves, lined with grass 
and horsehair. 
BREEDING HABITS. 
A very rare summer resident in Southern New England, and, as far as I have 
been able to ascertain, but very few specimens have been seen or taken north of 
Connecticut. 


5 (17) 


Blue-winged Yellow Warbler. 
Frelminthophaga pinus, 
Pirate ITI. 
DESCRIPTION, 

Eacs. — Usually four in number, sometimes five; are white, generally sparsely 
spotted with light red, light and dark brown, and lilac, mostly about the greater end, 
and average about .60 by .50 of an inch, 

Nests. — Placed in some retired locality, on the ground. They are com- 
posed of dead leaves, lined with grape-vine bark, and sometimes a few horsehairs 


are added. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is distributed with us about the same as the preceding species, 
breeding in the southern portion of New England only. It arrives about the 


middle of May. But one brood is reared in a season. 


Golden-winged Warbler. 
HHelminthophaga chrysoptera. 
PuaTeE III. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Four in number, white, thinly spotted with light red and reddish 
brown, usually tending to form a wreath about the crown, and average about .66 by 
54 of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed on the ground, and usually composed of leaves, lined with 
grape-vine bark, soft grasses, or horsehair, but exhibit some variation in the 
materials used. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


This bird is a summer resident in Southern New England, is rare, but not 
as much so as the two preceding species. It makes its appearance in Massachu- 
setts about the roth of May, and selects for its summer home a place in some 
swampy land or its immediate vicinity. 


(18) 


Nashville Warbler. 


fHelminthophaga ruficapilla. 
Puate III, 


DESCRIPTION, 


Eccs.— Four in number, sometimes five; are white, and irregularly and 
minutely spotted over the entire surface with light red and obscure lilac. Some are 
coarsely spotted or blotched, particularly about the larger end. Dimensions are 
about .55 by .60 of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed on the ground in some dry woodland or shrubbery, and vary 
somewhat in composition, but usually consist of dead leaves and grape-vine bark, 
lined with shreds of the inner bark of various trees or plants, or pine-needles, and 
sometimes horsehair. 

BREEDING HABITS. 
A common summer resident throughout New England. It makes its appear- 


ance early in May, and generally has its nest completed and eggs laid by the first 


of June. 


Summer Warbler. 
Dendreca e@stiva. 
Puate III. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Four in number, often five; average about .67 by .50 of an inch; are 
bluish, grayish, or greenish white in ground color, spotted and blotched with Hlac, 
yellowish and dark brown, usually tending to form a ring about the larger end. 

Nests. — The individual taste of this Warbler as to the matter used in the 
composition of its nest varies considerably, depending greatly upon the material in 
the immediate vicinity, but is usually composed of fine silky fibres from various 
plants, attached to the fork of a limb or branch in which it is built, and lined inside 
with plant and fern down and hair, or fine, soft 


grasses. Sometimes they are com- 


posed almost entirely of down, slightly interwoven with fine grass. I have often 
found nests near cotton or woollen mills composed entirely of yarn and cotton or 
wool waste from the mills. It is always a handsome and durable piece of archi- 
LEGCULE. 


(19) 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Summer Warbler is an abundant summer resident throughout New Eng- 
land. It makes its appearance about the first of May, and builds its nest in the 
latter part of May or early in June, in bushes and trees, in pastures, swamps, and 
cultivated grounds. I have also found that the borders of ponds and streams are 
favorite breeding grounds with this species. Two broods are sometimes reared in 


a season. 


—— = 


Black-throated Green Warbler. 
Dendreca virens. 
PuaTE III. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually four in number, sometimes three; are creamy white, spotted 
with obscure lilac, light red, and yellowish and dark brown all over, and usually 
confluently blotched about the larger end. The average dimensions are about .67 
by .55 of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed on the fork of a horizontal limb from ten to sixty feet from 
the ground, and are generally composed of strips of cedar bark, twigs of the pine or 
hemlock, and bits of dead leaves interwoven with grass and pine-needles, with pieces 


of cobwebs attached to the outside, and lined inside with soft grass and horsehair. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This handsome bird, scarcely less abundant than the preceding species, is a 
common summer resident throughout New England. It reaches us about the first 


of May, preferring the pine-trees, in which it usually breeds. 


Black-throated Blue Warbler. 
Denidrevca caerulescens. 
PLATE LV, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Four or five in number; grayish white in ground color, dotted with 
obscure lilac and several shades of brown, mostly about the larger end, and measure 
about .68 by .48 of an inch. 

Nests. — Rey. C. M. Jones (Bull. Nutt. Club, 1876), who found this bird breed- 
ing at Eastford, Conn, observes: “ The nest was located in deep woods near the 


(20) 


base of a hill which sloped down to a swampy run. It was built in a small laurel 
(Kalmia latifolia), a fourth of an inch in diameter at the base. About five inches 
from the ground the bush separated into three branches, and in this triple fork the 
nest was situated. It has a firm and compact appearance. It was composed out- 
wardly of what appears to be a dry bark of grape-vine with a few twigs and roots. 
This is covered in many places with a reddish woolly substance, apparently the 
outer covering of some species of cocoon. The inside is composed of small black 
roots and hairs.” The same writer has found several nests of this species, and 
observes, in the Orzztholog?st and Odlogist, March, 1884, “ that they were all simi- 


larly situated, and that the birds show a partiality for wet ground.” 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Black-throated Blue Warbler arrives about the middle of May or a little 
later, the majority passing on to a more northern climate for nidification, a few, 


however, remaining with us throughout the summer. 


Yellow-rumped Warbler. 
Dendreca coronata. 
Pirate IV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Normally tour in number, sometimes five, and rarely six. They meas- 
ure from .64 to .8o in length, by .50 to .55 of an inch in breadth, and vary in shape, 
color, and markings. (See Plate IV., Figs. 2, 3, and 4.) 

Nests. — Usually placed in a small spruce-tree or bush about three or four feet 
from the ground, and are usually constructed of strips of inner bark and twigs of 


the hemlock or spruce, lined with fine grass and plant-down or feathers. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

Many of the Yellow-rumps remain in extreme Southern New England 
throughout the winter, but the majority migrate. They arrive from the South 
in great numbers from about the 20th of April to the middle of May, and pass 
on to the north of New England. A large number, however, remain in Maine, New 
rl shire 1 Vermont during the period of incubati 6S is the us 
Hampshire, and Vermont during the period of incubation. Such is the usual and 
normal manner of the Yellow-rump’s presence in New England. There is some- 

(21) 


thing curiously erratic, however, in its breeding instincts and capacities; for it is 
known to rear its young, In some instances, in localities far south of New England, 
even in the West Indies. A notice has lately appeared of its nesting in Maryland. 
(Bull. Nutt. Club, V., July, 1880, p. 182.) It is supposed by Mr. Allen, with good 
reason, to breed occasionally in Berkshire County, Mass.; and no one need be sur- 


prised to hear of a nest found in any portion whatever of New England.” (N. E. 


Be Li 1384, Voll) 


=<en— ~—— 


Blackburnian Warbler. 
Dendrwca blackburnie. 


Prat: DV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ececs.— Four in number, varying in shape, being oval, elliptical, or pyriform, 


and measure from .64 to .72 in length by .48 to .53 of an inch in breadth. They 


are of a delicate bluish green in ground color, spotted over the whole egg with lilac 
and various shades of brown, and usually blotched about the larger end or half, 
forming a confluent ring. 

Nests. — They build their nests high up in the tall coniferous trees. They 
are outwardly composed of hemlock twigs, pine-needles, and small rootlets, to 
which are attached bits of cobwebs and silky fibres of plants, and inwardly with 


fine grasses and horsehair. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This Warbler, the most beautiful of its family, arrives about the first week in 


May, and is rare as a summer resident, excepting in Northern New England. 


a eo Be 


Black-poll Warbler. 
Dendrevca striata. 
PLatTe IV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Commonly four or five in number, dull white, blotched with thin 
reddish brown, and spotted’ with reddish brown or dark brown, or both, and lavender, 
irregularly over the entire surface, and average about .70 by .50 of an inch. 

Nests. — Usually placed in an evergreen tree, are deeply hollowed, rather 


(22) 


loosely constructed, and rather bulky for so small a bird. A nest before me is com- 
posed of spruce twigs, moss, dead grass, feathers, and fine rootlets, with a small 
quantity of plant-down attached to the outside. The inside consists of fine grass, 


lined with soft feathers of gulls and ducks. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Black-polls make their appearance in New England the latter part of May, 
and deliberately pass to the northward, few remaining in Northern Maine, New 


Hampshire, and Vermont to rear their young. 


—-——_ _—=t @ » __- 


Bay-breasted Warbler. 
Dendreca castanea, 
PLATE IV. 

DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The first nest, which is described below, contained three eggs, as 
follows: No. 1 is bluish green, thickly spotted with brown over the entire surface, 
with a ring of nearly confluent blotches of brown and lilac at the larger end. 
The dimensions are .71 by .53 of an inch. No. 2 resembles No. 1, with the ex- 
ception that there are some amber spots in the ring around the larger end, and 
the smaller end is immaculate. Dimensions, .65 by .50 of an inch. No. 3 is less 
spotted than the others, and has a few brown lines on the larger end. Dimen- 
sions, .70 by .50 of aninch. No.1 is the most perfect in form, No. 2 more round, 
while No. 3 is long for the width. 


Nests.— Are large for so small a bird, and resemble those of the Purple 


Finch. The first one is composed outwardly of fine dead twigs from the larch, 
among which are scattered a little of the long tree moss. It is very smoothly and 
neatly lined with black fibrous roots, the seed-stalks of a species of ground moss, a 
few hairs of Lepus americana, and a single piece of green moss that grows in 
damp woods. The dimensions are: diameter, externally, six inches; internally, 
three inches: depth, externally, two and one half inches; internally, one and one 
fourth inches. 

The second nest also resembles the first, but contains a few stalks of grass 
near the centre. It is lined with the same materials as the other, excepting the 
green moss. 


(23) 


BREEDING HABITS. 

Mr. C. J. Maynard, in his catalogue of the birds of Coos County, N. H.., and 
Oxford County, Me., gives the most complete and interesting description yet pub- 
lished. He says: “ Two nests of this species were taken at Umbagog on June 8. 
The tree selected by the birds belonging to the first nest discovered as a summer 
home stood by the side of a cart-path in the woods. My attention was attracted to 
it while walking along, by seeing the female fly into the tree and alight on the nest, 
which was then (June 3) but just completed. It was on the horizontal branch of 
a hemlock, twenty feet from the ground, and five or six feet from the trunk of the 
tree. On June 8 the nest was taken, and then contained three fresh eggs. The 
second nest was found by Mr. Brewster, who, having shot a female that exhibited 
signs of nesting, searched for the nest, and discovered it in a hemlock-tree, on the 
side of a thickly wooded hill. This nest contained only two fresh eggs. It was 


ground.” This 


5 


likewise placed on a horizontal branch, about fifteen feet from the 


species breeds in Northern New England and northward. 


~=<e> 


Chestnut-sided Warbler. 
Danitrvca parnsvlvanica. 
PLaTE LV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually four in number, often five; measure about .68 by .50 of an 
inch; are white or creamy white in ground color, spotted with lilac, dark and red- 
dish brown, generally tending to form a ring about the crown. Some are very 
sparingly spotted, having only a few dots at the crown; while others are profusely 
and quite evenly spotted over the entire surface. 

Nests. — Placed in the fork of a low bush or shrub, in rather jow land, show- 
ing a preference to hazel-bushes. They are constructed of coarse dried grass and 
strips of bark woven together, to which a few cobwebs are attached. They are 


lined with horsehair or pine-needles, back-lined with fine dry grass. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Chestnut-sided Warbler arrives from the South from the first to the mid 
dle of May. Itisa common summer resident throughout New England, but is more 
plentiful in the southern than the northern portion, After its arrival it soon begins 
to build its nest, and usually has its complement of eggs laid by the 1st of June. 


(24) 


Black and Yellow Warbler; Magnolia Warbler. 
Dindreca maculosa. 
PLATE LV. 


DESCRIPTION, 


Eccs.— Are four and often five in number. They are white, thickly and 


eround color an ash-colored 


fo] 


minutely spotted with lilac (so much so as to give the 
appearance), light purplish brown, and reddish brown, often blotched. They meas- 
ure about .62 by .50 of an inch. 

Nests.— Placed in a spruce or hemlock, from two to eight feet from the 
ground. Of nine nests I have examined, all are similar in construction. They are 
composed of fine dry grass, weed-stalks, twigs, and fine rootlets, with a small 
amount of plant-down here and there attached to the outside, thinly lined with 
horsehair and black fibres of some variety of moss. They are lightly though 
strongly made, and the bottoms of all were so slightly built as to present a sieve- 


like appearance. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


This richly attired Warbler makes its appearance about the middle of May, 
or a little earlier, in the three southern States of New England, and continues on 
its journey to Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, where, in certain portions, it 


is a common summer resident. 


Cape May Warbler. 
Dendraca tigrini, 
PEArE Nv: 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Usually four in number, sometimes five. They are dull white, 
minutely spotted all over with faint purplish brown and lilac, giving the general 
tone of the egg a bluish cast; at the greater end, with larger spots of dark and 
reddish brown, blotches of pink and purplish, usually forming a wreath about the 
crown. Sometimes the smaller end is without spots. They average about .66 to 
.70 in length by .49 to .54 of an inch in breadth. 

Nests. — An excellent account of the nesting of this bird is given in the AA, 
January, 1885, by Mr. Montague Chamberlain. The nest was found in Edmunston, 


N. B., on the roth of June, in a low cedar, less than three feet from the ground. 


“It was fastened to two of the tiny branchlets,— pendent from one and resting upon 
(25) 


the other, — and secured to each by strawberry-vines and spider silk. The walls 
of the nest are composed of minute twigs of dried spruce, grasses, and strawberry- 
vines, with spiders’ webbing interwoven with the coarser fabrics, and knotted into 
numerous little balls, which are bound upon the surface as if for ornament. The 
exterior is rather roughly made, but is more compact, and bears evidence of more 
art than is shown in the nest of the Magnolia Warbler, which it somewhat resem- 
bles. The interior, however, is much more neatly and artistically formed in the 
Cape May’s than in its congener’s. The lining is composed entirely of horse- 
hair, and this is laid with precision, and shaped into a prettily formed cup, the 


brim being turned with exquisite grace.” 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The arrival of the Cape May Warbler is of about the same time as that of 
the Black and Yellow, and does not differ very essentially from it in distribution 


e@ habits, but is much rarer. 


and breedin 


ee 


Prairie Warbler. 

Dentreca discolor. 

PLaTE V. 

DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Varying in number from three to five, usually four; are pearly white, 
spotted with lilac and different shades of brown, the spots being larger and more 

thickly distributed about the crown. They measure about .66 by .50 of an inch. 

Nests. — Composed of strips of inner bark, bits of decayed wood, plant fibres, 
and cottony substances beautifully woven together, and lined with soft feathers, 


horsehair, or fine plant. fibres. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

It arrives about the middle of May, and is locally abundant in Southern New 
England, Massachusetts being its northern limit. Their haunts are the by-gone 
fields and pastures grown up with bushes and shrubs. In the choice of a nesting 
location, they show a decided preference to the hard-wood tracts, where fire has 
consumed or killed the large wood, or where it has been cut off and a new growth 
has sprung up. In this favorite spot they build a handsome nest in the fork of 


a bush, from one to six feet from the ground. 
(26) 


Pine-creeping Warbler. 
Dendraca pinus. 


PLATE V, 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs. — Usually four in number; are white, with a rosy tinge before blown, 


and spotted all over with different shades of brown and obscure purple, but chiefly 
at the larger end, usually forming a confluent wreath. They measure about .65 by 
.52 of an inch. 

Nests. — Almost invariably placed on the fork of a limb ina pine or cedar, 
from ten to fifty feet from the ground. They consist of pine-needles, pine twigs, 
and fine strips of bark, with a lining of pine-needles or horsehair. They resem- 
ble the nest of the Black-throated Green, but are not quite so neat or firm in 


appearance. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is a common summer resident throughout Southern and Middle 
New England, making its appearance early in April, frequenting the groves o 
pine, where during the brighter days of early spring its peculiar and often-repeated 
song is heard. The eggs are laid in the latter part of May or the first week 


in June. 


Golden-crowned Thrush; Oven Bird. 
Selurus aurocapillus. 
PLATE V. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Commonly four or five, and rarely six in number; are white, minutely 
spotted with purplish, yellow ochre, reddish and dark brown over the entire surface. 
Others are sparingly spotted at the crown or all over, and sometimes blotched with 
light reddish. They measure from .80 to .go in length, by .58 to .80 of an inch 
in breadth. 


ground, 


fi) 


Nests. — Generally well concealed among the leaves or bushes on the 
and are roofed over (but not always), having an entrance at the side. They are 


composed of dead leaves, weed-stalks, and grasses, lined with finer materials of 


the same. 
BREEDING HABITS. 
An abundant summer resident throughout New England, arriving about the 


first of May, and inhabiting alike the high and low land. 


1S 
(27) 


Small-billed Water Thrush. 


Selurus noveboracensts. 


PLATE V. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Usually four, though sets of five and six are not uncommon. They 


are pure white in color, with purplish shell markings, minutely spotted or blotched 
with dull yellowish brown or yellow ochre, and various shades of brown, throughout 
the entire surface, and usually most numerous about the crown. They measure 
from .73 to .85 in length, by .52 to .62 of an inch in breadth. 

Nests. — Placed on or near the ground, composed of a mixture of moss, 


grass, 


leaves, and weed-stalks, lined with fibrous roots. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Water Thrush is a summer resident in Northern New England. It 
arrives about the first of May, haunting the low and swampy lands, or neighbor- 
hood of ponds, streams, and shady pools, where it builds its nest. The eggs are 
laid the first week in June. 


—=eo> 


Large-billed Water Thrush. 
Seiurus ludovicianus. 
PLATE V. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Closely resemble those of the preceding species, but are generally 


more spherical in form, and average a little larger. 


NEST AND BREEDING HABITS. 
The nest and breeding habits are also much the same, but are rarely seen 
in New England north of Rhode Island or Connecticut, where they are a fairly 


common summer resident. 


Maryland Yellow-throat. 
CGeothlypis trichas, 
PLaTE V, 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs. — The usual. number of eggs is four; five are common, and six are 
extremely rare. They are subject to considerable variation in size, distribution and 
color of markings, and measure from .85 to .68 in length, by .67 to .52 of an inch in 


= 


(28) 


breadth. They vary from white to creamy white in ground color, spotted with lilac, 
yellow, and reddish or dark brown all over, but more thickly at the greater end. 
Sometimes with obscure lilac, and a few black, purplish, or dark brown spots about 
the crown. A set of two in my collection are dull white; one is immaculate, the 
other with three minute dark brown spots about the larger end. 

Nests. — Are usually placed on the ground in a tussock or at the base of a 
bush or tuft of grass, but I have twice found them about twelve inches from the 


generally 


ground, placed in an upright fork in a thicket of witch-hazels. They are g \ 


loosely constructed of grass, a few dead leaves, strips of bark, and pieces of fern, 
lined with fine grass or hair. I have found many nests sunk in tussocks composed 
of a very little grass and without any lining whatever. They are sometimes, 
though rarely, roofed. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

A common summer resident throughout New England, arriving from the 
South about the middle of May, frequenting the swampy lands and meadows, where 
it almost invariably builds. Two broods are reared in a season, and I often found 
sets of eggs in September; and whether or no a third brood is sometimes con- 


templated, I am unable to say. 


- 2 


Mourning Warbler. 
Geothlypis philadelphia, 
PLATE V. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— Commonly four or five in number, are white, spotted all over with 
lilac and light red, the lilac predominating, or lilac and thinly blotched with red- 
dish brown, chiefly about the crown. They average about .73 by .55 of an inch. 

Nests.— Placed on the ground. They do not essentially differ in breeding 


habits from its congener, the Yellow-throat. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Mourning Warbler is a rare migrant in Southern New England, excepting 
the western part of Massachusetts, where, I am informed, it is rather common in 
certain localities, and breeds. It is also common in certain sections of Maine, New 
Hampshire, and Vermont. It makes its appearance in the latter part of May. 


(29) 


Yellow-breasted Chat. 
Leteria vires. 
PRATE VY. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs. — Normally four in number, often three, and very rarely five. They are 
glossy white in ground color, coarsely or minutely spotted over the entire surface 


with lilac and different shades of reddish brown; sometimes blotched and spotted 


Q 


all over; others with large spots and blotches becoming confluent at the greater 
end, and often forming a band around the same. 
Nests. — Usually a loose construction of dried leaves, grasses, and the like, 


lined with fine grass, with an intermediate lining of grape-vine bark. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

A rare summer resident of Southern New England, excepting some parts of 
Connecticut; and there is but one instance, as far as I have been able to ascertain, 
of its nesting north of Massachusetts. In a letter from Mr. J. N. Clark, of Say- 
brook, Conn., he says that it is quite common in his neighborhood, haunting the 
old hill pastures with bramble thickets, among which it usually builds its nest 


from two to five feet from the ground, and lays its eggs about the first of June. 
This species also occurs sparingly in the vicinity of Lynn, Mass., and breeds 


there. 


Hooded Warbler. 
Myiotioctes mitratus. 
PuatTe VI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces.— Usually four, sometimes three, and average about .70 by .55 of an 
inch. They are white, with a slight yellowish tinge, spotted mostly about the 


crown, tending to form a wreath, with lilac and reddish brown. 


Nests. — A nest before me, collected in Connecticut, was built in a small 


aure] about two feet from the ground, and is very artistic in appearance. It is 
outwardly composed of large, coarse blades of grass looped and interwoven with 


bits of dead leaves; inwardly of grass and bark fibres lined with fine grasses. 


C 
The outside rim is securely fastened to the twigs, forming the fork, with spiders’ 


webbing and caterpillars’ silk. 


oO 
fom) 


(30) 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Hooded Warbler is a very rare summer resident in Southern New 
England, Massachusetts being its northern limit. It breeds in Connecticut in 
some numbers, arriving about the middle of May. It generally selects a semi- 
swampy situation in dense woods and thickets, and places its nest in an upright 


fork of a low bush, usually the laurel. 


—=e> 


Black-capped Yellow Warbler; Wilson’s Black-cap. 
Myiodioctes pusillus. 
Pare VI, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces.— Four in number, dull white, marked with reddish and brown dots, 
chiefly about the crown, where they sometimes form a wreath. They measure 
about .65 by .50 of an inch. 

Nests.— Audubon found this bird breeding in Labrador. The nest was 
placed on the extremity of a horizontal branch among the thick foliage of a 
dwarf fir, a few feet from the ground, and in the very cluster of a thicket. It was 
made of bits of dry mosses and delicate pine twigs agglutinated together and to 
the branches and leaves around it, from which it was suspended. It was lined 
with fine vegetable fibres. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Black-caps are quite common some years during the migrations in New 

England, haunting the vicinity of streams and swampy land. They breed from 


Northern New England northward. But one brood is reared in a season. 


to 


Canada Flycatching Warbler. 
Myiodioctes canadensis. 
PATE «Vil; 
DESCRIPTION. 


Bees: 


Are commonly four or five, and measure from .60 to .7o in length 
by .48 to .55 of an inch in breadth. They are white, thickly or sparsely spotted 
with lilac and different shades of brown, the lilac usually prevailing, and are 
generally rather pointed at the smaller end. 


(31) 


Nests. — Placed in swampy ground about the first of June. Mr. G. O. 
Welsh, of Lynn, Mass., has twice found this bird breeding. The nests were each 
built in a tussock of grass in low swampy situations, similarly constructed and 
well concealed. They were composed mostly of pine-needles, a few fragments of 


dead leaves, fine strips of bark, grasses, rootlets, etc. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The Canada Flycatcher is a very rare summer resident in Southern New 
England, but quite common in the northern portion. It arrives from the South 
in the latter part of May, being one of the last arrivals of our migratory birds. 


It inhabits both the high and low land, but prefer that which is swampy. 


Redstart. 
Setophaga ruticlla, 
Puate VI. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Ecos. — Usually four and often five, and measure about .65 by .50 of an inch, 
They are creamy white, spotted over the entire surface with lilac, yellowish, and 
pale brown, particularly about the greater end. 

Nests. — Generally placed in a fork or crotch of a sapling, from three to 
twenty feet from the ground, in swampy woodland, or in the vicinity of ponds and 
streams. They usually consist of dead grasses and strips of bark circularly inter- 
woven with pieces of weed-stalks, downy feathers, string, cotton, bits of paper, and 
dead leaves, caterpillar silk, spider webs, and the like, lined with fine grasses or 
horsehair. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

A common summer resident throughout New England, the majority arriving 

about the second week in May. It soon commences to build its nest, which is 


completed and eggs laid by the first week in June. 


Scarlet Tanager. 
Pyranga rubra. 
PiaTE VI. 
DESCRIPTION, 

Eccs.— Commonly four or five, are of a light dull greenish blue in ground 
color, finely and thickly marked with lilac, amber, and purplish brown spots, tend- 
ing to gather about the greater end. Some are sparingly and coarsely marked 
with reddish brown and lilac. They measure from .85 to 1 in length by .65 to .70 
of an inch in breadth. 

Nests. — Usually placed on a horizontal limb from ten to twenty feet from 
the ground. They consist of interlaced sticks, twigs, and rootlets lined with finer 


rootlets or pine-needles ; are slightly hollowed and frailly built. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


An abundant summer resident in the southern portion of New England and 
rare in the northern. It arrives from the South in the first and second weeks of 
May, and begins building the last of the month. A favorite place chosen for its 
summer home is in the hard-wood tracts and groves, though it sometimes selects 


. = 1 
a pine, hemlock, or orchard tree. 


Barn Swallow. 
fTivundo horreorum. 
Puate VI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— From four to six, usually four; are pure white and_ translucent, 
imparting a rosy tint before the contents are removed, and vary in shape and size. 
Some are thickly spotted with lilac, reddish and dark brown, chiefly about the 
crown; others with dark purple and purplish brown; and others with these two 
varieties combined, finely marked or spotted and blotched over the entire surface. 
The dimensions vary from .70 to .go in length by .50 to .60 of an inch in breadth. 

Nests.— Constructed of pellets of mud plastered to the beams or rafters, 
built out and cemented together into a semi-cup-shaped form, ins! ¢ of which is 
placed hay or straw and lined with soft feathers. 


(33) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The presence of this bird is looked for about the middle of April throughout 
New England. About the middle of Maya nest is built, or an old one repaired, 
the same pair returning to their old nest many seasons. Two and sometimes 


three broods are reared in a season. 


White-bellied Swallow. 
Tachycineta bicolor. 
PLaTE VI. 
DESCRIPTION, 
Eccs.— Commonly four or five in number, and sometimes six. They are 
pure white, and, like all Swallows’ eggs, have a rosy hue when unblown, and 
average .75 by .55 of an inch. 


Nests. — Composed of grass, straw, etc. profusely lined with feathers. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

Very common and quite evenly distributed throughout New England as a 
summer resident, It arrives from the South the first week in April, sometimes 
a little later, and builds its nest about the middle of May. It is usually placed 
in boxes and the like, put up for its accommodation. In sparsely settled districts 


it nests in hollows of trees. Two broods are usually reared in a season. 


Se eee 


Cliff Swallow; Eave Swallow. 
Letrocheliton lunifrous. 
Pirate VI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Resemble those of the Barn Swallow, but those of the Cliff Swallow 
average a little larger, and are usually more coarsely spotted. 
Nests. — Gourd-shaped, with a hole for an entrance at the extremity of the 
neck. Some nests, however, are without the neck. Inside is placed hay or straw 
lined with soft hen feathers. They are usually placed along in a row, and often 
joined together one above the other in clusters, sometimes as many as seventy or 
eighty to a colony, 


(34) 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The Cliff Swallow is an abundant summer resident in New England, though 
locally distributed, arriving the last of April, and nesting in colonies. The most 
remarkable feature of this bird is the wonderful ingenuity displayed in the con- 
struction of its nest. It is composed of little pellets of mud plastered to the 
outside, and placed beneath the projections of stone bridges, eaves of barns, 


sheds, etc. 


— —~ o> 


Bank Swallow. 
Cotyle riparia. 
Pirate VI. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— From four to six in number, usually six; are pure white, and measure 


about .68 by .50 of an inch. 


Nests. — An excavation of two or three feet is burrowed in the loam or sand, 
nearly horizontally, two or three feet from the top of a sand or gravel bank in the 
neighborhood of the sea, rivers, or other sheets of water. The burrow is widened 
towards the extremity, and a nest loosely constructed of dry grass is lined with 


a few soft feathers. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


Like the preceding species, it nests in colonies, is distributed about the same, 
and makes its appearance about the same time. Two broods are reared in a 


Season. 


= 4 © > 


Rough-winged Swallow. 
Stelgidopteryx serripennts. 
Pirate VI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces.— Vary from four to six in number, pure white in color, and measure 
about .55 by .75 of an inch. 
Nests.— Placed in holes in eaves of buildings, bridge piers, and unused 
holes of Bank Swallows, Kingfishers, or natural cavities on the borders of rivers, 
etc, composed of grasses lined with feathers. 


(35) 


BREEDING HABITS. 

This species is exceedingly rare in New England, being confined, as far as 
known, to Connecticut. They arrive from the South the latest of all our Swal- 
lows, not excepting the Bank Swallow. “They are exceedingly abundant in Penn- 
sylvania, and I found them nesting in abundance on the Susquehanna River. 
Here they usually built their nests in holes of Kingfishers or those of the Bank 
Swallow which had been used the previous season, never, I believe, excavating 
for themselves.” (Maynard.) 


— ——_—a e > 


Purple Martin. 
Progne purpurea. 
Puiate VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eacs.— From four to six in number, usually five or six, are pure white, and 
average about .95 by .70 of an inch. 


Nests.— Consist of hay, straw, and leaves, lined with feathers. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Purple Martins are common in Southern and Middle New England, 
but are locally distributed, many pairs breeding in some sections, and in others 
are entirely wanting. They depend entirely on the hospitality of man, breeding 
in bird-houses erected for their accommodation. The eggs are laid about the 


2oth of May, and two sets are commonly laid in a season. 


——__—< 0 >__— 


Cedar Bird; Cherry Bird. 
Ampelis cedrorum. 
Pirate VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eacs.— Commonly four or five in number, of a dull, pale bluish tint, some 
having a greenish tinge with well-defined spots of black, and obscure undermark- 
ings of slate or dark purplish, tending to aggregate about the larger end. The 
average dimensions are about .80 by .60 of an inch. 

Nests. — Generally placed in apple and cedar trees, about ten or fifteen feet 
from the ground. They are rather large and bulky, are composed of weed-stalks, 
rootlets, strips of bark, grass, leaves, twine, bits of paper, ete. lined with root 
fibres, grass, or horsehair. They are built in the last of June or the first of July. 


(36) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
Common throughout New England as a summer resident, and many remain 
in the southern portion during the winter, but the majority arrive from the South 


about the middle of March. Two broods are sometimes reared during a season. 


<2 > 


Red-eyed Vireo. 
Vireo olivaceus, 
PiateE VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Number from three to five, usually four; are white, sparsely spotted 
about the greater end with dark brown or reddish brown, or both, intermingled with 
lilac, and, like all Vireos’ eggs, have a roseate tint when unblown. They measure 
about .85 by .60 of an inch. 

Nests. — Pensile, suspended from the fork of a horizontal limb of some forest 
or orchard tree, or along the highways, in a maple, elm, poplar, or other shade tree, 
from five to twenty feet from the ground. They are constructed of strips of inner 
bark, pieces of wasps’ nests or newspaper, and caterpillars’ silk, woven together, and 


erass. To the outside are 


lined with fine strips of bark, pine-needles, or fine g 


attached bits of decayed wood, newspaper, and caterpillars’ silk. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Red-eyed Vireo is abundantly distributed throughout New England, 
inhabiting both the forest and neighborhood of man. It arrives early in May, and 
begins building the last of the month or the first week in June. Sometimes a 


second brood is reared. 


Warbling Vireo. 
Vireo gilvus. 
Pirate VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecoes. — Four or five in number, usually four, and are scarcely distinguishable 
from those of the Red-eye, excepting that they average a little smaller, the dimen- 


3 to .60 of an inch in breadth. 


J 


sions running from .77 to .85 in length, by .5 


(37) 


Nests. — Are built about the first week in June, and various materials are 
employed in their composition. They are pensile, suspended from a fork of a 
small branch, usually from twenty to forty feet from the ground, and are composed 
of plant and bark fibres, firmly interwoven with yarn, string, cotton, wool, pieces of 
rags, downy feathers, and bits of paper, the whole being bound over on the outside 
with caterpillars’ silk. Inside they are furnished with fine soft grass, and lined with 
horsehair. These are the firmest, strongest, and most durable bird structures of 
which I know. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

It is an abundant summer resident throughout New England, but not as much 
so as the Red-eye. It makes its appearance about the middle of May, haunting the 
tops of the shade trees, where it builds its nest, but the poplar and maple are its 


favorite trees. Two sets of eges are sometimes laid in a season. 
55 
——— 


Yellow-throated Vireo. 
Vireo flavifrons. 
PiatTe VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — The usual complement of eggs is four. They are pure white, with 
dark or reddish brown and purplish spots irregularly distributed around the larger 
half, and measure about .82 by .60 of an inch. 

Nests. — In situation and material used the nests are similar to those of the 
Red-eye, but are more bulky and loosely constructed, and are profusely ornamented 
with lichens, recalling to mind the nest of the Humming-bird or Blue-gray Gnat- 
catcher. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Yellow-throated Vireo is quite a common summer resident of New 

England. It arrives about the first or second week in May, and constructs a 


beautiful nest, which is completed about the first week in June. 


(35) 


Blue-headed Vireo; Solitary Vireo. 
Vireo solitarius. 
PiaTe VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces.— Four is the usual number of eggs laid. They are white, finely and 
sparsely spotted with reddish and dark brown, and measure from .81 to .75 in 
length, by .62 to .50 of an inch in breadth. 

Nests.— Are pensile and suspended from a fork of a branch, usually about 
four or five feet from the ground. Two nests are all that I have ever found, and 
they are both loosely constructed of fine strips of bark, lined with fine grass and a 
few pine-needles. Attached to the outside are caterpillars’ silk, plant-down, and a 


few lichens. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


The Solitary Vireo is a rare summer resident throughout New England, 
making its appearance about the first of May. Its haunts are the low lands and 
deep woods, where it builds its nest about the first of June. But one set of eggs is 


laid in a season. 


—=o > 


White-eyed Vireo. 
Vireo noveboracensis, 
PLaTE VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces.— The usual number of eggs is four. They are pure white in ground 
color, minutely spotted with brown and faint lilac about the greater end. They 
average about .76 by .55 of an inch. 

Nests. — Do not materially differ from those of the Red-eye; they are attached 


to a horizontal fork of a bush or tree, three or four feet feet from the ground, in 


Bd 
5 
shrubbery of dry or swampy land, and not infrequently in a witch-hazel, young oak, 


or maple. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is a common summer resident in the three southern New 
England States, and quite rare in the three northern. It arrives from the South 
about the second week in May, and begins building the last of this month or first 
of June. But one set is laid, unless the first has been robbed or met with some 


accident. 


(39) 


Loggerhead Shrike. 
Collurto ludovicianus. 
Pirate VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Frcm four to six in number; are grayish white, spotted with yellow 
ochre, various shades of dull brown and obscure lilac, more or less confluent at 
the greater end, others being thickly blotched and spotted over the entire sur- 
face, and often nearly concealing the ground color. They measure about 1 by .75 
of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed in trees or bushes, composed of sticks, weed-stalks, and similar 
material, lined with hair, wool, cotton, feathers, or any other soft substances. They 


are quite bulky structures in comparison to the size of the bird. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
There is something curious about the breeding range of the Loggerhead, as it 
is chiefly a Southern bird. Skipping a vast amount of territory, it is found breed- 
ing in certain sections of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. I know of no 


instance of its breeding in any of the other New England States. 


Pine Grosbeak. 
Pinicolor enucleator. 
Pirate VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Ecos. — Usually four in number, are pale greenish blue in ground color, with 


reddish brown and lilac spots tending to aggregate about the larger end, and 
measure about 1 by .75 of an inch. 

Nests. — Mr. Boardman informs me that he found, near Calais, Me., a nest 
which he supposed to be of this species, composed chiefly of twigs and placed 


in an alder-bush in a wet meadow, containing two eggs. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Pine Grosbeak probably breeds in all three of the northern States of New 
England, as it has been observed there many times during the period of incubation, 
but its normal habitat is farther north. No positive identification of the nest and 
eggs has as yet been discovered in New England. 


(40) 


YT 


; 7 
+ : 
_ 


oe 


.: 0 Sean | 
M18 ue Spots rs 


J = nk -« a ma 
“86 Of an inch, 


arojtss OF Date 


Purple Finch; Linnet. 
Carpodacus purpureus, 
Pirate VII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ececs. — Number from four to six, usually four. They are pale, dull greenish 
blue in ground color, with spots, blotches, or scrawls of black and ashy lilac, chiefly 
about the crown. They vary in dimensions from .72 to 80 in length by .53 to .62 
of an inch in breadth. 

Nests. — Are sometimes placed in an orchard tree, but usually in a bush or 
small evergreen in old pastures. They are outwardly composed of interlaced 
weed-stalks and small twigs, and inwardly of fine rootlets lined with fine grass, 
bark fibres, or hair. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Purple Finch is an abundant summer resident of New England, espe- 
cially in the southern portion, where a few pass the winter, but the majority arrive 
from the South about the first of April. They begin to construct a nest about 


the last of May. Two sets of eggs are often laid in a season. 


Common Crossbill; Red Crossbill. 
Loxia curvirostra. 
Piate VIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Four or five in number, of a pale greenish white with a slight bluish 
tinge in ground color, sparingly spotted with hlac and a few scrawls or spots of 
dark brown, sometimes slightly blotched, and measure about .75 by .56 of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed in evergreen trees. They are composed of fine strips of bark 
and moss placed on a platform of twigs. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is a summer inhabitant in New England of the three northern 
States chiefly, though it has been seen and taken in Massachusetts during the 
breeding season, and has been found breeding at Tyngsboro’ in August. They 
usually begin building the Jast of March or in April. 


(41) 


Goldfinch; Yellow-bird. 
Chrysomitris tristis. 
PrATE VIL: 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Usually four in number, are pale bluish white, and average about 
65 in length by .50 of an inch in breadth. 
Nests. — Usually placed in a crotch from four to twenty feet from the ground, 
in a birch, maple, or orchard tree, in pastures or along the roadside. They are 


deeply cupped, and neatly and compactly woven with strips of bark, plant fibres, 


and plant-down, lined with thistle-down. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


eland, and many remain throughout 


An abundant summer resident of New Eng 
the winter in the southern and middle portion. Two broods are often reared in 
a season, and their eggs may be found from the latter part of June to the middle 


of August, and sometimes even in September. 


Pine Linnet; Pine Finch. 
Chrysomitris pints. 
Pirate VIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Four in number, rounded oval in form, and pale bluish green in 
ground color, spotted with blackish brown and ashy lilac, more particularly about 
the crown. They average about .70 by .50 of an inch. 

Nests. — One found by Mr. Jenness Richardson a few miles north of Rutland, 


Vt., was placed near the top of a low pine-tree. It was composed of pine and hem- 


lock twigs lined with hair. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


The summer habitat of this bird in New England ts in the northern portions. 


The nest is placed in pine or fir trees. 
(42) 


Savanna Sparrow. 
Passerculus SAVANNA, 
PuiateE VIII. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— The usual number of eggs is four, and measure from .68 to .83 in 
length by .52 to .60 of an inch in breadth. They exhibit great variation in form, 
color, and markings. (See Plate VIII. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, where I have illus- 
trated some of the most typical of the variations.) 

Nests. — Placed in a depression in the ground, and are composed chiefly of 


weed-stalks or fine rootlets lined with dry grasses or horsehair. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The Savanna Sparrow is an abundant summer resident of all New England. 
It arrives from the first to the middle of April, and commences to build its nest 
about the middle or last of May. This species, like many other birds nesting 
on the ground, tumbles about and feigns lameness when flushed, alluring the 


intruder from its nest. Two broods are reared in a season. 


—— i 


Bay-winged Sparrow; Grass Finch. 
Pooecetes gramineus. 
Puate VIII. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— Are commonly four or five in number, and vary about as much in 
coloration as the preceding species. An average specimen measures about .82 by 
.62 of an inch, is grayish or dirty white in ground color, with lilac spots and irreg- 
ular blotches of light reddish or purplish brown, over whicl: are spots or scrawls 
of a deeper shade of brown, which are sometimes nearly black. (See Plate VIII, 
Figs. 9, TO, I1, and 12.) 


grasses or 


Nests. — Constructed of grasses and rootlets lined with finer g 


horsehair. They are placed in pastures and fields, usually at the base of a tuft 


of grass, or sunken in the ground. 


oO 
5 


BREEDING HABITS. 
An abundant species throughout New England, making its appearance about 
the middle of April, and breeds about the last of May. Two sets of eggs are laid 


during a season. 


Yellow-winged Sparrow. 
Coturniculus passerinus. 
Piate VIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually four in number; are pure white, with purplish shell markings, 
burnt sienna and various shades of brown spots over the entire surface, tending to 
aggregate about the greater end, and in some to forma ring around the greater 
half. They vary in form, but are generally broader in proportion to their length 
than any of the other Sparrows. They average about .78 by .60 of an inch. 

Nests. — Placed on the ground in fields and pastures, and are composed of dry 


grasses, lined with horsehair. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Yellow-wing is a rare summer resident in Northern New England, but is 
more plentiful in the southern portion, It makes its appearance in the early part 
of May, and soon begins building a nest, which is completed about the first 


of June. 


Henslow’s Yellow-winged Sparrow. 
Coturniculus henslowt. 
PuLaTE IX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Closely resemble those of the preceding species, except that they are 


eround color. 


ron) 


more narrow, and are often of greenish tinge in 


NEST AND BREEDING HABITS. 
A rare summer resident in New England. It arrives about the same time as 
the Cotfurniculus passerinus. IT have met with this species but once. In the Fowl 
meadows, Canton, Mass., June, 1878, I flushed one of these birds from its nest, 


eround color. It was 


ro) 


which contained four eggs, all having a greenish tinge in 


placed in the grass on the top of a hassock, and composed about the same as nests 


(44) 


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of the Coturniculus passerinus, for which species I should have labelled the eggs, 
but for having secured the bird. Another nest was taken shortly after by Mr. J. D. 
Dunbar, the eggs corresponding closely to mine. Mr. Maynard informs me that he 


found this species quite common at Tyngsboro’, Mass. 


Sharp-tailed Finch. 
Ammodromis caudacutus, 
Pirate IX, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Four or five in number, and average about .77 by .56 of an inch. 
They are grayish white or greenish tinged in ground color, finely and profusely 
spotted all over, or most thickly at the crown, with various shades of brown and a 
few spots of lilac. 

Nests. — Composed of dried grasses, and are concealed in the dead growth 


of grass of the previous season, 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Sharp-tails in New England are locally distributed and “are practically 
confined to the salt and brackish marshes of the coast and its immediate vicinity.” 


(N. E. B. L.) Two broods are reared in a season. 


— om 


Seaside Finch. 
Ammodromus maritimus. 
PLaTE IX, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Are usually five in number, and measure about .82 by .60 of an inch. 
They are grayish white in ground color, and cannot be readily distinguished from 
many specimens of the preceding species, but are generally a little coarser spotted 
and average a little larger. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

I know little or nothing of this species, but from what I can learn from others, 
it does not essentially differ in breeding habits from the Amimodromus caudacutus, 
but is not as northern in distribution, bei 


ig rarely found north of Connecticut. 


(45) 


Swamp Sparrow. 
Melospiza palustris. 
PLATE SIX, 

DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The usual complement of eggs is four or five. They average about 
‘So by .60 of an inch, and exhibit considerable variation in ground color and mark- 
ings. The ground color is white, grayish, greenish, or bluish tinted, profusely 
spotted and blotched with lilac, yellow ochre, and various shades of brown, chiefly 
about the larger end. Others are more finely and evenly distributed over the entire 


oD 


surface, and others having a confluent band about the crown and sparsely spotted 
elsewhere. There are many other styles of markings too numerous for descrip- 
tion, but those I have described are the most typical. 

Nests.— Placed on the ground, in swamps or meadows, sometimes in low 


bushes, and are usually composed wholly of dead grasses. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

An abundant summer resident over all New England, arriving from the South 
about the first of April, and commences incubation the last of May. A second 
brood is usually reared some time in July. Audubon says that this species is abun- 
dant in the vicinity of Boston during winter, —a statement which has been doubted 
by ornithologists. Mr. Maynard informs me that a specimen was, however, taken 
by Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, on Dec. 29, 1884, in the vicinity of Fresh Pond, Cam- 


bridge, Mass., and many others were seen. 


Song Sparrow. 
Melospisa melodia. 
PLATE LX, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — The number of eggs in a set varies from three to six, but the usual 
complement is four or five. They exhibit an endless variation in color and mark- 
ines; they also vary in form and measurements. (See Plate IX., Figs. 10, 11, 12, 
and 13.) There are certain types of the Song and Swamp Sparrows corresponding 
so closely to each other that it is impossible for even an expert cdlogist to distin- 
euish them. 


(46) 


Nests. — Generally rather bulky, and placed in a bush or hedge or on the 


ground in fields and pastures, composed of grasses and weed-stalks. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Song Sparrows are abundant residents throughout New England, some 
remaining all winter. The eggs are laid about the middle of May, and two, and 


even three, broods are reared in a season. 


Snow Bird; Junco. 
Funco hyemalis. 
PLaTE IX, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually five in number, and measure about .So by .60 of an inch; are 
bluish, greenish, or grayish white in ground color, finely and thickly spotted over 
the whole surface with obscure lilac and faint reddish purple, or with lilac, sienna, 
purplish, and different shades of brown, tending to aggregate about the crown, 
sometimes forming a ring. 

Nests. — Built about the last of May; are loosely constructed of dry grasses 


and leaves, and placed on the ground, but occasionally in a bush. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


The breeding range in New England is the three northern States and the 


elevated portions of Western Massachusetts. 


<2 


Chipping Sparrow. 
Spisella socialis. 
PLATE X, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Two sets, of four or five eggs, are usually laid ina season. They are 
of a beautiful bluish green in ground color, spotted, blotched, or scrawled about the 
larger half or end with dark brown, black, and ashy lilac, and a few small spots 
scattered elsewhere. They measure from .64 to .70 in length, by .46 to .50 of an 
inch in breadth. 

Nests. — Placed in pines, cedars, orchard trees, and in vines and shrubs about 
dwellings, and sometimes in brier thickets on the ground in fields and pastures. 


(47) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Chipping Sparrow is abundant throughout New England, but more so in 
the southern than northern portion. The first set of eggs is laid about the first of 


June; the second in July. 


—~e> | 


Field Sparrow. 
Spisella pusilla. 
PLatE X, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Number four or five; measure about .70 by .55 of an inch; are 
grayish or greenish white, spotted over the entire surface with lilac and light 
reddish brown of varying intensity, and in some so numerous as to nearly conceal 
the ground color at the greater end. 

Nests. — Composed of fine twigs and grass-stalks loosely put together, lined 
with fine grass or horsehair. They are placed on the ground in fields and pas- 
tures, or in a low scrub or bush two or three feet from the ground. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

A common summer resident throughout New England, and abundant in the 

southern portion. It arrives late in April, and the nest is built and eggs laid by the 


latter part of May. Two broods are reared in a season. 


—<o 


White-throated Sparrow. 
Zonotrichia albicollis. 
PLaTE X. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually four in number, often five, measure about .87 by .65 of an 
inch, and are grayish white or pea green in ground color, They vary from being 
profusely and confluently spotted and blotched, to sparingly and finely dotted with 
burnt sienna, dark brown, lilac, or with pale shades of the same. 


Nests. — Are placed on the ground, occasionally in a low bush in swampy 


lands and pastures, and closely resemble those of the Song Sparrow. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This species arrives in Southern New England in the latter part of April, 
and passes on to the northern States, where it breeds. A few instances, however, 
are recorded of its breeding in Massachusetts. 


Po) 
(45) 


Black-throated Bunting. 
Luspiza americana. 
PLATE X, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces.— Four or five in number, are of a light and bright greenish blue, 
unspotted, and measure about .78 by .59 of an inch. 

Nests. — Composed of grass, weed-stalks, etc., and lined with finer material. 
They are placed on the ground or in a bush near it. In the “ Nuttall Bulletin” for 
1878, p. 45, Mr. H. A. Purdie speaks of a nest with four eggs found by Mr. F. 
E. Bean, at Medford, Mass., June 9, 1877, at which date the eggs were fresh. This 
nest was in a bush about a foot from the ground, supported by the stem of the 
bush and the blades of the grass-clump in which it rested. Towards the end of 
June the same observer found a second nest, in another locality, with four young. 
This was in a field by the roadside; the song of the male perched upon the fence 
attracted attention, and both parents were seen feeding their young. Still other 
pairs had been in the same vicinity, as Mr. Bean heard other birds in this and 


previous years. (N..E. B. L.) 


BREEDING HABITS, 
In New England the Black-throated Bunting is a rare summer resident, 
though a number of instances of its occurrence have been recorded. Massachu- 


setts is its northern limit. 


Indigo Bird. 
Cyanospiza cyanea, 
PLATE X, 
DESCRIPTION. 


Eces.— Normally four in number, average about .75 by .55 of an inch, and 
are white with a bluish tint, and very rarely spotted. 

Nests. — Differ from being loose and bulky in construction to neatly and 
compactly woven structures. They consist of dry leaves, grass, and weed-stalks, 


lined with fine grass and not infrequently with horsehair. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
A common summer resident in Southern New England, and rather rare in 
the northern portion. It makes its appearance from the first to the middle of 
May. Its favorite haunts during the period of incubation are all kinds of shrub- 


(49) 


bery, low bushes, and weedy patches in low woodlands, fields, and pastures, where 
it places its nest in an upright fork from two to five feet from the ground. Two 


broods are often reared in a season in Southern New England. 


ee 


Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 


Goniaphea ludoviciana. 
PLATE X. 
DESCRIPTION, 

Ecos. — Usually four in number, often three, and seldom five, are bluish green 
or dull greenish gray, spotted all over with obscure lilac, pale reddish and purplish 
browns of varying intensity. In others the markings are darker and more sharply 
defined. (Plate X., Figs. 9 and _ 10.) 

Nests. — Usually placed in the crotch of a sapling, sometimes on the fork of 
a horizontal branch, about ten or fifteen feet from the ground. They are frailly 
constructed of interlaced twigs, roots, straws, and weed-stalks, lined with fine 


fibrous roots, fine grass, or pine-needles. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

Common summer resident in Southern New England, but is rather rare in 
the northern portions. It makes its appearance in the southern portion about the 
first of May. Its favorite breeding haunts are the dense swamps of alders and 
maples, though it sometimes chooses a situation in higher ground on cultivated 


estates. 


Cardinal Grosbeak. 
Cardinalis virginianus, 
PLATE X, 
DESCRIPTION, 

Ecos. — The number of eggs ina set in New England is three, and average 
about 1 by .80 of an inch. They are white, spotted over the entire surface with 
yellow ochre, reddish or purplish browns, and obscure lilac, sometimes very pro- 
fusely with confluent spots and blotches so as to nearly hide the ground color. 

Nests. — The nests are “composed of strips of grape-vine, or other pliable bark, 
twigs, leaves, and grasses; are rather loosely built, generally in a thicket of briers, 
or ina low tree, therefore near the ground and preferably in the vicinity of water.” 


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BREEDING HABITS. 
A very. rare summer visitor to Southern New England. Its breeding haunts 


are the thickets and shrubbery in the neighborhood of swamps and ponds. 


ob 


Chewink; Towhee Bunting. 
Lipilo eryihrcphthalmus. 
PLATE X. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — From four to six in number, usually four, and vary in size from 1.02 
to .94 in length by .79 to.7o of an inch in breadth. They are white, thickly and 
finely dotted over the entire surface with rich reddish brown and lilac. Much 
paler types also occur. (See Plate X., Figs. 14 and 15.) 

Nests. — Are built the last of May or first of June, placed on the ground 
often under a pile of dead brush, and sometimes in a low bush close to the ground. 
They are composed of leaves, twigs, and grass, lined with fine grass or pine- 


needles rather loosely constructed. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
An abundant summer resident in the southern portion of New England, and 
rather uncommon in the northern portions. It arrives about the first of May, 
haunting alike the shrubbery and undergrowth of the high and low lands. Two 


broods are reared in a season. 


Bobolink. 
Dolichonyx orysivorus. 
Pirate XI. 
DESCRIPTION, 

Eccs.— Four or five in number, the dimensions varying from .95 to .85 in 
length by .70 to .62 of an inch in breadth. They are greenish or warm brownish 
white in ground color, spotted, blotched, clouded, or scrawled with reddish and 
dark browns, and spots of brownish lilac over the entire surface, sometimes so 


thickly blotched and clouded as to nearly conceal the ground color. 


. 
g 

Nests. — Composed of dried grasses, and are sunken in the ground in a low 
field or meadow, through which, or near by, is a running brook or stream. 


(St) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This merry bird is a common summer resident throughout New England, 
making its appearance about the middle of May. The first of June or a little 


later they begin to breed. But one brood is reared in a season. 


Cow Bird; Cow Blackbird. 
Molothrus pecoris. 
PuatTe XI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Measure about .87 by .65 of an inch, are white, finely dotted over the 
entire surface with several shades of brown, interspersed -with obscure purplish 
shell markings. Sometimes they are blotched or coarsely spotted. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Cow Bird is an abundant summer resident throughout New England, 
arriving about the first of April. It is polygamous, and instead of building a 
nest of its own, it stealthily approaches the domicile of another bird, deposits an 
ege, and leaves it to the care of the owner of the nest. The nests chosen are 
generally those of the Warblers, Vireos, Thrushes, and Sparrows; the Yellow 
Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, and Maryland Yellow-throat being the birds the most 
often afflicted. Sometimes the nest is forsaken, or a second story built over the 
egg. The Yellow Warbler has been known to build over, four and five stories 


high, before submitting to her inevitable fate. But the unwelcome egg is usually 
hatched, and the young reared by its foster-mother. Two, three, and even five 
eggs are sometimes found in a nest, though usually but one. The number of 


eggs laid is unknown, but is probably four or five. 


—< o> — 


Red-winged Blackbird. 
Ageleus phaniceus, 
PraTE XI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Four or five in number, and vary in ground color from a dull bluish 
white to a faint greenish blue, with spots or blotches of obscure brownish lilac, and 
scrawls, spots, and sometimes blotches of dark brown and _ black, chiefly about the 
larger end. They measure from 1.08 to .85 in length, by .8o to .68 of an inch 


in. breadth. 


Nests. — Placed on the ground ina tussock of grass or in bushes, and some 
times in trees and saplings. They are composed of coarse blades of grass, mud, 
and leaves, and when near the coast, sea-weed enters largely into the composition. 


They are lined with rootlets and soft grass. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This common and well-known bird arrives from the South about the middle 
of March, earlier or later, according to the advancement of the season. They are 
gregarious, and nest in communities. One set of eggs is laid the last of May, 


and another in July. 


= 


Meadow Lark. 
Sturnella magna. 
PuiaTe XI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— From four to six in number; measure from 1.20 to 1 in length, by 
.go to .70 of an inch in breadth; are pure white, finely spotted or blotched with 
lilac, reddish, and Vandyke brown over the entire surface, but mostly on the 
larger end. 
Nests. — Placed on the ground in fields, meadows, and marshes, generally in 
a tussock or at the base of a tuft of grass, and are usually well concealed. They 
are composed of grasses, and generally, but not always, roofed, having an opening 


at the side. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


The Meadow Lark is a common summer resident throughout New England, 
though more plentiful in the southern than the northern part. -It arrives the last 
of March, and builds its nest from the middle of May to the first week in June. 


Two sets of eggs are often laid during a season, 


Sa © 


Orchard Oriole. 
Leterus spurius. 
Pirate XI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces. — bluish or greenish white in ground color, with brownish lilac, reddish 


ereater end. The markings 


brown, and black spots or scrawls, chiefly about the g 


are generally more in spots and with less lines and scrawls than the eggs of the 


5S 
Baltimore Oriole. They are usually four in number, and average about .86 by .60 
of an inch, 

Nests. — Placed in the fork of a limb of an apple or other low tree. They 
are pensile, and generally composed entirely of grasses handsomely woven into a 
fine fabric. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


A rare summer resident in Southern New England, seldom ever making its 
appearance north of Massachusetts. It arrives in Connecticut in the early part of 
May, in which State it is the most numerous, in New England. But one brood is 


reared in a season. 


Baltimore Oriole. 
Leterus baltimore. 
PiaTE XI. 
DESCRIPTION, 


ccs. — From four to six in number, usually four; five are common, and six 
are extremely rare, They are light drab or neutral tinted, spotted, lined, and 
scrawled with brown and black, and under-markings of dull lilac, chiefly about 
the greater half, and measure about .g2 by .60 of an inch. 

Nests. — Are pensile or pouch-shaped, and securely suspended from the twigs 
at the extremities of the drooping branches of an elm, poplar, or apple tree, usually 
from fifteen to thirty feet from the ground, along the borders of highways or on 


cultivated estates. They are composed of such materials as string, yarn, silk, 


thread, cotton, wool, horsehair, and often grass, firmly woven together and lined 


with horsehair. Sometimes cotton or some other soft material is placed in the 
bottom of the nest. 
BREEDING HABITS. 
This Oriole is an abundant summer resident in New England, but less com- 
mon in the northern than the southern portion. It makes its appearance in the 
early part of May, and begins building the latter part of the month or first week 


in June. A second set of eggs is seldom laid. 
(54) 


Rusty Grackle. 
Scolecophagus ferrugineus. 
Piate XI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Usually four in number; average about 1.02 by .78 of an inch, and 
vary in ground color from a grayish to a light bluish green, spotted with lilac, and 
thinly blotched or clouded with reddish or yellowish brown, over which are spots, 
blotches, and small scrawls of dark brown. Sometimes they are blotched or 
clouded over the entire surface with brownish red, so as to nearly conceal the 
ground color, over which are dark brown markings. These two variations are 
sometimes combined. 

Nests. — Mr. E. A. Samuels found a number of pairs breeding on the Magal- 
loway River, in Maine, June, 1864. He says: “ These nests were all built in low 
alders overhanging the water; they were constructed of, first, a layer of twigs and 
brier-stalks; on this was built the nest proper, which was composed of stalks and 
leaves of grass, which were mixed with mud, and moulded into a firm, circular 
structure, and lined with fine leaves of grass and a few hair-like roots. The whole 
formed a large structure, easily seen .at the distance of a few rods through the 
foliage.” Mr. James W. Banks, St. John, N. B, in the Azs, January, 1885, 
describes the nest and eggs of this species which he found in the suburbs of St. 
John, within thirty feet of a house, built amongst the dense foliage of the upper 
branches of a spruce-tree, and by this description it seems that they are not alto- 


gether confined to low and swampy districts. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
In New England the Rusty Grackles are confined to the northern portions 


during the period of incubation, migrating southward in winter. 


— ee 


Purple Grackle; Crow Blackbird. 
Quiscalus purpureus, 
Pirate XII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Usually four, often five, and seldom six. They average about 1.25 by 
.g0 of an inch, and exhibit such variation, both in ground color and markings, that 
any one description would be quite inadequate. (See Plate XII., Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.) 


(55) 


Nests. — Built from the middle of May to the first of June, and are usually 
bulky affairs, composed of dry grasses, twigs, and roots, mixed with mud, and 
lined with fine grass. They are placed in a bush or tree in the vicinity of ponds 


and streams, or in oaks or evergreens in higher land. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The Crow Blackbirds are abundant summer residents of all New England in 
favorable localities. They make their appearance about the first of April, and nest 
in communities. In the camp-ground at Cottage City, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., 
in June, 1877, I noticed that a great number of these birds had built their nests 
in open and exposed situations, about fifteen feet from the ground, in the small 
oak-trees and saplings along the avenues. They were very tame, and seemed 
to take no notice whatever of people passing and repassing beneath them. The 
nests were composed of an abundance of wood-shavings and sea-weed, mixed at 


the bottoms with mud, and lined with fine grass, and, in some, with horsehair. 


Raven. 
Corvus corax. 
PLATE XII. 

DESCRIPTION, 

Eces.— From four to six, usually four, and measure about 1.90 by 1.30 inches. 
They closely correspond to those of the Crow, except in size. (See Plate XII, 
Figs. 5 and 6.) 

Nests. —“ The nests are composed of twigs, sticks, sea-weed, and pieces of turf 


and are lined with finer sea-weeds and algw found on the seacoast.” (Samuels.) 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Raven is a very rare bird of Northern New England. Iam told that they 
are occasionally seen during the breeding period about Eastport, Me.; and Mr. 
Boardman informs me that they used to breed and were common all along the 
coast of Maine on the high cliffs; that they breed early, and a few breed now 
on the island of Grand Menan, where he obtained a nest that was large enough 


4 


to fill a large-sized wash-tub. 
(56) 


Common Crow. 
Corvus americanus. 
PLATE Axe 


DESCRIPTION. 


Ecos. — Usually four; five are common, and six are extremely rare. They 
measure about 1.62 by 1.25 inches. They are subject to great variations in 
ground color, running from a sea green or light greenish blue to a light gray 
or drab, spotted, blotched, or splashed, finely or coarsely, or both, with various 
shades of brown and olive, and sometimes with purple and gray. They are often 
abnormally colored in various ways, sometimes being unmarked. 

Nests. — Composed of interlaced sticks, twigs, and strips of bark, lined with 
strips of cedar bark, grasses, and leaves, and are sometimes without any lining 
whatever. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

An abundant resident throughout New England, both summer and winter. 

About the middle of April they begin to pair, and commence constructing a 


nest in some lofty pine or cedar. But one brood is usually reared in a season, 


Blue Jay. 
Cyanurus cristatus. 
Pate XII, 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Usually four in number, sometimes five, and average about 1.15 by .8o 


of an inch. They are pale dull green, greenish olive, creamy buff, or olive drab 
in ground color, spotted pretty evenly and thickly over the entire surface with green- 
ish or yellowish brown, interspersed with slate-colored shell markings. In some 
specimens the markings are subdued and indistinct, and in others they are 
gathered chiefly about the larger end. 

Nests.— Generally placed in a small evergreen tree, about fifteen or twenty 
feet from the-ground, in the deep woods, or some retired spot on a farm or culti- 


vated estate; they are loosely constructed of twigs and coarse roots, lined with 


fine fibrous roots. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This cautious and handsome bird is pretty evenly distributed over New Eng- 
land. About the last of April they begin to pair, and by the middle of May com- 


mence building, But one set of eggs is usually laid during the season. 


em 


Canada Jay. 
Lerisoveus CANALENSTS, 
PLaTe XII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces, — Usually four in number, and measure from 1.06 to 1.25 in length, by 
80 to .85 of an inch in breadth. They are light gray in ground color, sometimes 
with a greenish or a yellowish tint, quite evenly spotted and blotched over the 
entire surface with slate color, lilac, and subdued reddish brown; others with faint 
brown and purple, gathered in a ring around the larger end, and sparingly spotted 
elsewhere. 
Nests. — Audubon says: “It begins as early as February or March to form 
its nest, which is placed in the thickest part of a fir-tree, near the trunk, and ata 
height of from five to ten feet. The exterior is composed of dry twigs, with moss 


and grass, and the interior, which is flat, is formed of fibrous roots.” 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Canada Jay is confined to the northern districts of New England, and the 
breeding habits are about the same as those of the preceding species. But one 


brood is reared in a season. 


King Bird. 
Dyrannus carolinensis. 
PiaTeE XIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Usually four in number, often five; average about .72 by .98 of an 
Tee are creamy white, with sharply defined spots and splashes of lilac, yellow 
ochre, reddish and dark brown; they are very characteristic and readily identified. 


(55) 


Nests. — Placed on the branch of an orchard or garden tree, sometimes in 
bushes, fields, and pastures, and often along the borders of rivers and_ ponds. 
The materials used in the construction are miscellaneous. A nest before me is 
composed of twigs, interwoven with rootlets, weed-stalks, moss, feathers, string, rags, 


and cotton, lined with fine fibrous roots and _ horsehair. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The King Bird is distributed throughout New England in summer, arriving 


about the first week in May, and begins to breed about the last of the month, 
or a little later. oe 
Great-crested Flycatcher. 
Myiarchus crinitus, 
PLaTtE XIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Normally four in number, sometimes five, and very rarely six, and vary 
in dimensions from 1 to .75 in length, by .78 to .60 of an inch in breadth. They 
are creamy buff or pale yellow in ground color, sparsely spotted with lilac and dark 
brown, with numerous longitudinal lines and scrawls of brownish purple or wine 
color. 

Nests. — Placed in the hollows of trees, in forests and old neglected orchards. 
They are composed of straws, weed-stalks, feathers, and similar materials, and a 


cast-off snake-skin usually enters into the composition. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Great-crested Flycatcher is a summer resident in all the New England 
States, though irregularly distributed, and in Northern New England is very rare. 


It arrives about the middle of May, and about a month later it breeds. 


tier 


Pewee; Pheebe. 
Sayornis fuscus, 
PLaTE XIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces.— Usually five in number, normally pure white, but are sometimes spar- 
ingly spotted with faint reddish brown, and average about .58 by .75 of an inch. 


(59) 


Nests. — Placed on juttings under bridges, barns, sheds, and ledges of rocks. 
They are constructed of mud, sticks, roots, and mosses, lined with fine grasses, 
feathers, or horsehair, 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Pewee is an abundant summer resident throughout New England, arriving 

from the South in the last of March or first part of April. About a month later it 


commences building. Two sets of eggs are usually laid in a season. 


Olive-sided Flycatcher. 
Contopus borcalts. 
Puate XIII, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces. — From three to five in number, — usually four, often three, and seldom 
five; are creamy or pure white, with lilac, brownish red, and obscure reddish spots, 
most numerous about the larger end, and measure from .g2 to .85 in length, by .68 
to .64 of an inch in breadth. 

Nests. — Usually placed in pines, and not uncommonly in orchard trees, and 
are usually composed of sticks and twigs, strips of bark, and weed-stalks, lined with 
rootlets or moss, but some authors state that they resemble the nests of the 
King Bird. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

In Southern New England this species is a rare summer resident, but is more 
plentiful in the three northern States. It makes its appearance about the middle 
of May. 


Wood Pewee. 
Contopus virens. 
Pirate XIII. 
DESCRIPTION, 
Ecos. — Often three, but usually four in number, and average about .74 by .50 
of an inch. They vary in ground color froma pale to a rich cream color, usually 
with large blotches of lilac and dark and reddish brown wreathed about the larger 


end or half, and a few small spots of the same scattered elsewhere. 


(60) 


Nests. — Saddled on to a horizontal limb of an oak, or sometimes placed 
in a crotch, They are generally pretty high up, and are constructed of inter- 
twined twigs, rootlets, pine-needles, grass, and bits of dead leaves, lined with tree 
moss. They are thickly coated over the outside with lichens, and closely resemble 


the limb on which they are built. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is an abundant summer resident throughout New England, but 
less numerous in the northern than the southern portion. It makes its appearance 
about the middle of May, and about a month after its arrival a nest has been con- 


structed and eggs laid. Two broods are often reared in a season. 


Acadian Flycatcher. 
Limpidonax acadicus. 
PEATE UT; 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— The number: of eggs in a set is from two to four. They measure 
from .8o0 to .64 in length, by .56 to .50 of an inch in breadth, and vary in ground 
color from a pale yellowish white toa rich creamy buff, with large blotches of light 
red or reddish brown, or both, about the larger end, and a few fine spots scattered 
elsewhere; others occur with fine dots sparsely scattered over the entire surface. 

Nests. — Of the nests, Mr. H. W. Henshaw says (“ Nutt. Bull,” 1876, p. 16): 
“Tt is a slight structure, made of fine grasses, interspersed more or less with the blos- 
soms of trees, the whole disposed in a circular form and fitted between two twigs ; 
a firm support is derived from a binding of spiders’ webs, which are interwoven with 
the sides of the nest, and then carried over the twigs on either side, encircling them 
with strong bands. The entire base of the nest is without support, and so thin ts 
the slight structure that the eggs might almost be seen from below. It was built in 
a small tree, perhaps twenty feet from the ground.” In Pennsylvania, nests differ 
considerably from the above described, being composed largely of moss, are very 
flat in form, and are placed only a few feet from the ground, more usually in a 


witch-hazel than in any other shrub. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
In New England this species occurs in the southern portion only, and, as 
an extremely rare summer visitor, haunting the dry woodlands. 


(61) 


Traill’s Flycatcher. 
Limpidonax traillit, 
PuatE XIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Usually three, and occasionally four. They closely correspond to 
those of the Lempidonax acadicus in every respect, except the markings of the 
Traill’s will average lighter in color in the general run of specimens. 

Nests. — Placed in low bushes, generally alders, usually about two or three 
feet from the ground, in an upright fork. They are composed of dried grasses, 
plant fibres, and rootlets, lined with grasses, horsehair, or thistle-down, somewhat 


resembling the poorer nests of the Yellow Warbler. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

A common summer resident in the northern part of New England, and rare in 
the southern portion, excepting the western part of Massachusetts, where it is said 
to be fairly common. It makes its appearance in the latter part of May, haunting 
the low lands and swamps, particularly the neighborhood of streams. They breed 


during the latter part of June. 


ra) 


SS se 


Least Flycatcher. 
LEmpidonax minimus. 
PUATES sli: 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Normally four, often five, and seldom three; average about .62 by .50 
of an inch, and are white, with a slight yellowish tinge, usually immaculate, but very 
rarely, spotted. 

Nests.— Placed on a horizontal branch or in an upright fork,’from ten to 
twenty feet from the ground, in orchard trees along the highway, or in dry wood- 
lands. The materials used in their construction vary, depending upon the location. 
Those near dwellings are composed of fine strips of inner bark, fine grasses, root- 
lets, plant-down, string, cotton, wool, and soft feathers, compactly woven together, 
and fastened with spiders’ webbing and caterpillars’ silk, and lined inside with fine 
grasses or feathers and horsehair. When built in the woods, they are composed 
principally of bark fibres and rootlets, lined with grasses or pine-needles. 


(62) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Least Flycatcher is a common summer resident in all New England, with 
the exception of some localities in the northern portion. They arrive early in May, 
and begin to build the last of the month or first of June. Two sets of eggs are 


commonly laid in a season. 


Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. 


Limpidonax flaviventris, 


PLaTE XIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ececs. — Four in number, white, sparingly marked with light reddish brown 


about the larger end, and measure about .68 by .52 of an inch. 

Nests.— “It has proved no easy task to disentangle the history of this species 
from that of its two nearest relatives, considering the conflicting or erroneous 
accounts which have crept into the books, resulting from wrong identification of 
nests, or other mistakes. Thanks to several active and successful New England 
observers, the doubt has been dispelled, and the nest and eggs of favzventris should 
be as recognizable as those of any other species. One of the most satisfactory 
accounts, which may be transcribed in part, is that given by Mr. Purdie in the 
“Nuttall Bulletin” for October, 1878, p. 166. Remarking that Dr. Brewer, and fol- 
lowing him, Dr. Coues, had described the eggs as white, unmarked, he notes his 
experiences with the bird at Houlton, Me.: ‘Mr. Bradbury informed us that he had 
found, on June 15, a nest unknown to him, with one egg. On the 18th he con- 
ducted us to the edge of a wooded swamp, and pointing to the roots of an upturned 
tree, said the nest was there. We approached cautiously, and soon saw the struc- 
ture, and then the sitting bird, which appeared to be sunken in a ball of green 
moss. Our eager eyes were within two feet of her, thus easily identifying the 
species, when she darted off; but to make doubly sure, Mr. Deane shot her. There 
was no mistake; we at last had a genuine nest and eggs of the Vellow-bellied 
Flycatcher. A large dwelling it was for so small and trim a bird. Built in and 
on to the black mud clinging to the roots, but two feet from the ground, the bulk 
of the nest was composed of dry moss, while the outside was faced with beautiful 
fresh green mosses, thickest around the rim or parapet. The home of the Bridge 
Pewee (Sayornis fuscis) was at once suggested. But no mud entered into the 


(63) 


actual composition of the nest, though at first we thought so, so much was clinging 
to it when removed. The lining was mainly of fine black rootlets, with a few pine- 


needles and grass stems.’” (‘New England Bird Life.”) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is not numerous during the breeding season in 


Northern Maine, and I know of no instance of its breeding south of that locality. 


Whippoorwill. 
Antrostumus vociferus, 
PLATE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Two in number; average about 1.25 by .85 of an inch; are elliptical 
in form, with a glossy surface; they are creamy white in ground color, blotched, 


marbled, and lined with subdued purplish and brownish lilacs. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Whippoorwill is a common summer resident throughout New England, 
but is rather locally distributed. It arrives from the South from about the middle 
to the last of May. The eggs are laid in the first week of June, in a slight depres- 


sion made on the ground in some retired locality of dry woodland or scrub. 


Night Hawk. 
Chordeiles virginianus. 
Pirate XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Two in number, measure about 1.25 by .85 of an inch, and are ellip- 
tical in shape, with a highly polished surface. They are light grayish in ground 
color, thickly marked over the entire surface with fine variegated dots and markings 


of different shades of umber and obscure lilac and slate color. 


BREEDING HABITS. 

The Night Hawk is an abundant summer resident throughout New England, 
making its appearance about the first of May, and about the last of the month the 
eggs are deposited on the bare ground, sometimes on leaves, on a bare rock, and 
often on the gravelled roofs of houses in large cities. 


(64) 


PLATE XIV 


if 12 
10 
ie 14 15 
Fié. |. Whippoorwill. ig 8. Pileated Woodpecker. 
«2. Nighthawk. .9. Hairy " 

» .8. Chimney Swallow. 10. Downy " 

» .4. Ruby-throated races I. Black-backed 

- .0 Belted Kinéfisher. » .12.Banded « " 

» .6 Black-billed Cuckoo. . .13.Yellow-bellied 

«7 Yellow 4 ..14, Red-headed 


«FIs. 8. epidaeamneen: WestinSaler 


Chimney Swallow. 
Chetura pelasgia. 
PLATE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually four in number, rarely five; measure about .7o by .50 of an 
inch, and are pure white, unmarked. 

Nests. — Are basket-like, composed of interlaced twigs, glued together with 
the saliva of the bird. They are semi-saucer shaped, and fastened to the inside of 
chimneys with this same glutinous substance. “In the North woods the nests are 
still often constructed in hollow trees, as well as in barns and sheds in the sparsely 
settled districts.” (“New England Bird Life.”) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Chimney Swallows are common summer residents of all New England. 
They arrive from the South in the first part of May, and breed the last of the 


month or first of June. Two broods are often reared in a season. 


Ruby-throated Humming-bird. 


Trochilus colubris, 


PLaTE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ececs.— Two in number, elliptical in form, and pure white, measuring about 


50 by .35 of an inch. 

Nests. — These birds construct beautiful little cup-shaped nests about an inch 
and a half in diameter externally, and three fourths of an inch internally, by an inch 
and one fourth in depth externally, and three fourths of an inch internally. They are 
composed mainly of plant-down, and fastened to the limb with fine spiders’ webbing, 
covered over the entire outside surface with bits of lichens, and lined inside with 


fine silky husks from various seeds. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Humming-bird is a common summer resident throughout New England, 
arriving about the middle of May. About the first of June the nest is placed ona 
branch of almost any kind of a tree in woods, pastures, or cultivated estates. I 


have found the cedar to be its favorite tree. But one brood is reared in a season. 


(65) 


Kingfisher. 
Ceryle alcyon. 
PLATE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The number of eggs in a set is usually seven, pure white, with a 


glossy surface, and measure about 1.35 by 1.05 inches. 


Nests. — This species burrows a hole.in a sand-bank to a distance of five to 
nine feet long. At the extremity the burrow is enlarged, where sometimes a few 


straws or fish-bones constitute an apology for a nest, the eggs usually being depos- 
ited on the bare sand. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
A common summer resident throughout New England, making its appearance 


about the first of April or earlier, according to the season. It may be found about 


mill-ponds, streams, rivers, and near the coast. 


Black-billed Cuckoo. 
Coccysus erythrophthalmus. 
PLaTE XIV, 
DESCRIPTION: 
Eccs.— From two to five in number, light greenish blue, either oval or ellip- 
tical in form, and average about 1.12 by .86 of an inch. 

Nests.— Are loose and frail, composed of sticks and twigs, and sometimes 
a little moss, strips of bark, or leaves are added. They are generally placed in a 


low tree or shrub in dry woodland, three or four feet from the ground. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
Eges in different stages of incubation are often found in the same nest, some 


nests having young birds and freshly laid eggs. Sometimes a part of the egg 


$ are 
addled, which is probably owing to lack of sufficient heat, the parent being unable 
to incubate them after the others have been hatched. The Black-billed Cuckoo is 
a regular summer resident of all the New England States, but less numerous in the 
northern than the southern portion. It reaches the southern portion about the first 


of M ay. 
(66) 


Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 
Coccjzus americanus. 
PLATE, MTV, 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Vary from two to five in number; are light greenish blue, paler than 
those of the Black-billed Cuckoo, and measure from 1.10 to 1.30 in length by .84 to 


I inch in breadth. 
NEST AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The nest, breeding habits, and distribution do not differ from those of the 


Black-billed Cuckoo, but usually this species is not as common. 


—_— ~~ er_____ 


Pileated Woodpecker. 
LTylotomus pileatus. 
PLATE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Usually six in number, — very rarely more, and often four or five, — 
and average about 1.25 by 1 inch, They are, as are all Woodpeckers’ eggs, of a 
pure, brilliant, and translucent white. 
Nests. — All Woodpeckers nest in a hole of a tree, and without any inner nest, 
excepting the decayed chips chiselled from the sides of the hole. This species 
usually nests pretty high up, excavating its hole to the depth of about fifteen or 


twenty inches. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


In New England the Pileated Woodpecker is confined to the thickly timbered 
districts of Northern Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, where it is a resident 


through the year, and in some localities is common, 


Hairy Woodpecker. 
Picus villosus, 
Pirate XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces. — Usually five, seldom six in number, and often four, and measure 


about .85 by .65 of n inch. 
(67) 


Nests. — This species excavates a hole from five to twenty inches in depth 


in a decayed tree, and lays its eggs about the middle of May. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
A common summer resident in the northern portion of New England, but 
rather rare in the southern portion. The breeding haunts are in the woods, very 


seldom nesting in orchards. 


Downy Woodpecker. 
Picus pubescens. 
PuaTe XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Normally five in number, four are common, and as many as seven 
have not infrequently been found. They average in dimensions about .75 by .60 
of an inch. 

Nests. — Are made in the deep woods, in decayed pines, birches, and poplars, 
and often in old neglected orchard trees. The hole is about an inch and a 
quarter in diameter at the entrance, is round and cleanly cut, widens as it extends 


downward, and varies in depth from six to twenty-four inches. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is a common resident of all New England through the year. 
The building operations are sometimes commenced as early as the middle of 


April, but usually three or four weeks later. 


Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker. 
Picoiles arcticus. 
PLaTE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Vary from three to six in number, though normally four, and average 
about 1 by .So of an inch. 
BREEDING HABITS. 
In New England this species is a summer resident in the three northern 
States only; is rare, and nests chiefly in decayed coniferous trees. 


(68) 


Banded-backed Three-toed Woodpecker. 
Picoides americanus. 
PLATE: eLy), 
DESCRIPTION. 
The eggs, nests, breeding habits, and distribution do not differ from the pre- 


ceding species, but it is a much rarer bird. 


Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. 
Sphyrapicus varius. 
PATE eoLy: 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— From four to six in number, and average about .go by .75 of an 


inch. 
BREEDING HABITS. 


The Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers are unknown as summer residents in 
Southern New England, excepting the elevated parts of Western Massachusetts, 
but are quite common in the three northern States. The eggs are laid the last 
of May. Mr. C. O. Tracy, in the Orn7thologist and Odlogist, of November, 1884, 
says: “I have had abundant opportunities to study the breeding habits of this 
species, and, with rare exceptions, have found them to select a live tree in which 


to make their nest.” 


Red-headed Woodpecker. 
Melanerpes erythrocephalus. 
PLATE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces. — Commonly four in number, five or six are often found, rarely three, 
and still more rarely seven. They measure about 1 by .80 of an inch, and are not 


readily distinguished from any of the three preceding species. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Red-headed Woodpecker is an extremely rare summer resident throughout — 
New England. It prefers the wooded districts for breeding, and the nesting habits 


do not differ from the rest of its family. 


(69) 


Golden-winged Woodpecker. 
Colaptes auratus, 
PLaTe XIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Usually six in number, commonly five, and often seven or more; 
measure about 1.15 by .go of an inch, but vary in size and shape. 


NEsTs. 


About the middle of May the nests are made in the trunk or large 
limb of decayed pines, maples, poplars, or old orchard trees, from five to twenty 
feet from the ground. The excavation varies from six inches to three feet in depth, 
and is sometimes made in the sound, green wood, and sometimes they relieve them- 


selves of all this labor by occupying the same nest year after year. 


BREEDING HABITS. 


A common summer resident of all the New England States, and is the most 
abundant of its family. A few remain in the southern part during the winter, but 
the majority make their appearance about the middle or last of March. When the 
egos are removed from a nest, the female continues to lay, and there are many 


— 


instances where there have been successive removals of their laying, from twenty 


to fifty and even sixty eggs, before the exhausted but ambitious bird reluctantly 


leaves the nest she has so industriously labored to complete. 


Great Horned Owl. 
Bubo wirginianus. 
PLATE XV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces.— The number of eggs is usually two, sometimes three or four, and as 
many as six have been found. .They are white, sometimes with a slight tinge of 


yellow, are nearly spherical in form, and average about 2.25 by 1.95 inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Great Horned Owl is a permanent resident in all the New England States, 
but is more common in the northern than the southern portion. In February or 


70) 


March the eggs are laid in the most retired localities of the deep woods; some- 
times in.the fissure of a rock, but usually high up in a pine, in the deserted nest 
of a Crow or Hawk which they have slightly repaired. A pair of young I found in 
Pigeon Swamp, Canton, Mass., in the early part of March, 1878, were occupying 
a deserted Crow’s nest in a pine-tree about seventy feet from the ground. They 
appeared to be but a few days old, and kept up a continual squawking. Beside 
them on the nest was a freshly slain frog. On the ground at the base of the tree 
were bones of fish and rodents, and the remains of frogs, eels, and hornpouts, 
emitting considerable odor for that season of the year. While at the nest the 


g closely around and threaten- 


female exhibited no small amount of courage, hoverin 
ing several attacks, coming nearly within an arm’s reach of me, ruffling her feathers, 
and making a loud, snapping noise with her beak. Visiting.the nest on the succeed- 


ing day, for the purpose of obtaining the young and old birds for my collection, 


they were so shy that it was with great difficulty that I succeeded in obtaining a 


shot. The catching of fish was probably an individual peculiarity, as their food 


usually consists of small animals. 


J 


Mottled Owl; Screech Owl. 
Scops asio 
PLaTE XV. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Eces. — Usually four in number, sometimes five; are somewhat spheri- 
cal in form, measuring about 1.36 by 1.22 inches, and are white, sometimes 


having a yellowish tinge. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is a common summer resideat throughout New England. The 
eggs are laid about the middle of April in hollow trees and stumps about six or 
seven feet from the ground, in the woods or old orchards, and sometimes in a 
deserted Woodpecker’s nest. They are deposited on the dirt or decayed chips 
at the bottom of the hole or hollow, though a slight nest of leaves, grass, and 
feathers is sometimes made. A second brood is often reared. 

(71) 


Long-eared Owl. 
Otus vulgaris. 
PLATE XV, 

DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— The number of eggs in a set is usually four, and occasionally five. 
They are nearly spherical in shape, are pure white, and average about 1.60 by 1.30 
inches. 

Nests. — Usually placed in a pine or hemlock, in some retired location, in dry 
or swampy woodland. They are built of twigs, leaves, and grass, though sometimes 


an old Crow’s or Hawk's nest is slightly repaired. 


oO 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The Long-eared Owl is a common summer resident throughout New England. 
The eggs are laid about the last of April, and sometimes a second set later in 


55 


the season. 


Short-eared Owl. 
Brachyotus pabustvis. 
PLATE XV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs. — Usually four in number, though often five or six. They are white, 


nearly spherical, and measure about 1.55 by 1.30 inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is a common summer resident in Northern New England, but is 
less common in the southern portion, and prefers the neighborhood of the coast to 
the interior. Mr. F. H. Carpenter, of Rehoboth, Mass., in the Orxzthologist and 


Odlogist, Vol. VIIL., pa: 


c y 
5 


e 84, 1883, says: “ This little Owl, so far as my observation 
has extended, seems peculiar to the coast, where among the reeds and thick marshes 
of the shores and neighboring islands it finds a covert from the noisy world. Hav- 
ing found such a place, they, unlike all other New England Owls, build in colonies. 
A locality not far from here has been from my earliest recollection a breeding-place 


2 a meadow or flat, level with 


5S 


for these Owls. The situation is most desirable, bein 
the coast, over which the tide completely flows, but leaves it entirely dry when it 


recedes. This meadow is covered with a coarse grass, and surrounded by tall 


5 


(72) 


brakes and reeds. In these latter they gather together the remains of last year’s 
frost-bitten reeds, and place them in a promiscuous heap on a tussock. This is 
afterwards hollowed out, and the set of eggs is then laid. Six is the largest number 
I ever found, with the exception of one nest, in which I found ten; but these were 
laid by two females, who sat together on the same nest in perfect harmony.”  Incu- 


bation usually commences about the last of May. 


—_—< 0 »>—____ 


Barred Owl. 
Syratum nebulosum. 
PLATE XV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The number of eggs is usually four, and sometimes three or five. 
They are white, nearly spherical, and measure from 2.10 to 1.90 in length, by 1.83 


to 1.65 inches in breadth. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

A common resident in New England, breeding in dense and retired localities 
of the forests. The nest is generally built in April, though they sometimes patch 
up a deserted nest of a Crow or Hawk. It is composed of sticks, lined with grasses 
and leaves, and is placed in pines, hemlocks, cedars, and oaks, and sometimes in 


the hollow of a tree. 


Acadian Owl; Saw-whet. 
Nyctale. 
PLate XV. 
DESCRIPTION, 
Eacs.— From four to six in number, normally four, and of the usual form of 


Owls’ eggs. They are pure white, and measure about 1.05 by .go of an inch. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is a rather rare resident throughout New England. It breeds in 
hollow trees and the deserted nests of Crows, Hawks, and Woodpeckers, about the 


last of April. 


Marsh Hawk; Harrier. 
Circus cyaneus hudsoniues. 
PLaTE XV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— From three to seven in number, but are commonly four or five. They 
vary in shape and in measurement from 2 to 1.75 in length, by 1.65 to 1.45 inches 
in breadth. When first laid, they are of alight greenish blue in ground color, and 
soon fade to a pearly or bluish white. Some are plain and unmarked, others with 
obscure lilac shell markings, and again others with the shell markings and pale 
yellowish or reddish brown spots or blotches scattered over the entire surface. 

Nests. — Placed in a large tussock or on the ground in meadows, marshes, and 
bushy swamps. They are generally composed of sticks and grasses, though I have 
often found eggs of this species in a mere depression in the centre of a tussock, 


without any indications of a nest whatever. 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Marsh Hawks are common summer residents in New England, making 


their appearance about the first of April. The eggs are laid from the first to the 


last of May. 


Sharp-shinned Hawk. 
Accipiter fuscits. 
PLATE XV. 
DESCRIP PION. 

Ecos. — Four in number, often five. They vary in form, but are usually nearly 
spherical, and measure from 1.52 to 1.23 in length, by 1.08 to 1.25 inches in breadth. 
The ground color varies from a pale greenish to a bluish white, and is beautifully 
marked with spots and confluent blotches of yellowish, reddish, and dark browns, 
of varying intensity, distributed over the entire surface. In some specimens these 
blotches form a confluent band around the centre or the greater or lesser end of 
the egg, and are sometimes, though very rarely, immaculate. 

Nests. — Usually placed in a pine or oak tree from fifteen to thirty feet from 
the ground, and are usually large and slightly hollowed, composed of sticks and 
twigs, lined with a few dry leaves, grass, strips of bark, and similar material. 

(74) 


( 
c 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is one of the most common Hawks of New England, making its 


os are laid from the second week in 


5 


appearance the latter part of April. The eg 
May to the first week in June. This bird, like the majority of the Hawk family, 


will lay a second and even a third set when robbed of her eggs. 


<0 > 


Cooper’s Hawk; Chicken Hawk. 
Accipiter coopert. 
PLATE XV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces.— Usually four in number, sometimes three or five; are elliptical in 
form, though often oval, and measure from 2.10 to 1.82 in length, by 1.60 to 1.50 
inches in breadth. They are pale bluish white in ground color, sometimes 
unmarked, but usually with thin, pale reddish brown markings scattered over the 
entire surface, and are scarcely distinguishable from those of the Marsh Hawk, but 
are usually more equal-ended and average a little larger. 

Nests. — Usually placed high up close to the trunk in an» evergreen tree. 
They are composed chiefly of sticks and twigs, with a slight depression in the 
middle, with a scanty lining of grass and leaves. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Cooper’s Hawk is an abundant summer resident, and many remain in the 

southern portion of New England through the cold season. The eggs are laid 


oo 


from the first to the third week in May. 


American Goshawk. 
Astur atricapillus. 
PuaTe XVI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eces. — Are three or four in number, somewhat spherical in form, and measure 
from 2.35 to 2.20 in length, by 1.95 to 1.75 inches in breadth. They are pale bluish 
white in ground color. Some are plain and unmarked, and others sparingly marked 
over the entire surface with obscure reddish or yellowish spots and lilaceous shell 
markings, resembling in color the eggs of the Marsh and Cooper’s Hawk. 


Nests. — Placed in a tall evergreen, and are similar in construction to those 


o 
oF 


of the other Hawks. 


(75) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
The Goshawk is very rare in Southern New England as a summer resident, 
but is a regular inhabitant in the northern portion during the breeding season. 


In Maine, the eggs are laid about the second week in May. 


ro) 


Duck Hawk; Peregrine Falcon. 
falco communts. 
PiateE XVI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — From two to five, though four seems to be the usual number. They 
vary in shape, also in size, measuring from 2.25 to 1.90 in length, by 1.71 to 1.50 
inches in breadth. The ground color varies from a light reddish white to a brick 
red, spotted, blotched, or scrawled with dull reds and rich browns of varying inten- 
sity. (See Plate XVI. Figs. 2, 3, and 4.) 

Nests. — Mr. J. A. Allen gives a very interesting account of the breeding habits 
of this species in the “ Proceedings of the Essex Institute,” Vol. 1V., 1864, of which 
Iam reluctantly obliged to quote but a small portion. He says: “All accounts 
agree that the nest is placed on almost inaccessible cliffs, and often it can only be 
approached by a person being let down by a rope from above. The old birds are 
represented as bold in the defence of their nests, approaching so near as generally 
to be easily shot. They arrive early at their nesting-place, and though they often 


bestow no labor in the construction of a nest, beyond the scraping of a slight hollow 


in the ground, they defend their chosen eyry for weeks before the eggs are laid, and 
are known to return for several years to the same site. Incubation commences very 


early, the youne having been found in the nest at Mount Tom, May 30, nearly 


r=) 


fledged, and on Talcott Mountain, in the same condition, June 1; so that the laying 
‘ 


of the eggs must occur by the last of March, or very early in April 


BREEDING HABITS. 

All the places to my knowledge of the Duck Hawk's breeding are Talcott 
Mountain, Connecticut, Mount Holyoke, Mount Tom, and Sugar Loaf Mountain, 
Massachusetts, Brandon, Vermont, and Mount Katahdin, Maine. In the latter State 
they are no doubt the most numerous, as they are often seen there during the 
summer months. Mr. Boardman informs me that he collected a set of eggs on the 
island of Grand Menan, within a few rods of a Raven's nest, both species breeding 


in perfect harmony. 
(76) 


Pigeon Hawk; Merlin. 
falco columbarius. 
PLATE XVI. 
DESCRIPTION, 


Eccs.— The number of eggs found in a set is from three to six; five is the 
usual number. They vary in shape from oval to being nearly equal-ended, and 
average about 1.56 by 1.30 inches. The ground color varies from a creamy white 
to a light brick red, spotted and confluently blotched over the entire surface or 
wreathed about either end with dull reds and browns of varying intensity, the 
darker types closely resembling those of the Duck Hawk in coloration. 

Nests. — Placed in an evergreen tree about the first of May, and are composed 
of sticks and twigs lined with grasses, moss, and leaves. 


< 


BREEDING HABITS. 


The Merlin, as he is sometimes called, is a rare summer resident of New 
England, Massachusetts being its southern breeding limit, as far as now known, 


although it has been observed in Connecticut during the breeding season. 


Sparrow Hawk. 
falco sparverius. 
Plate XVI, 
DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— From three to seven; five is the usual number. They are usually 
nearly spherical, though varying in form, also in color and marking. The ground 
color is light buff, dark cream color, light reddish yellow, or white. Some are, though 
rarely, immaculate; others, finely and thickly dotted over the entire surface with 
dull ochre, dark brown, and dull red; others, blotched at either end with yellowish 
and dark brown, the remaining surface being finely dotted with yellow ochre, burnt 
sienna, and dark brown; and others are sparingly blotched and spotted over the 


7 


entire surface with dark brown and burnt sienna. They measure about 1.30 by 1.15 


inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
This little Hawk is a common summer resident of Northern New England, but 
in the southern portion it is not so common, and is rather locally distributed. It 
lays its eggs about the middle of May, in a hollow tree or in a deserted Wood- 


pecker’s nest, from about six to twenty-five feet from the ground, and occasionally 


in an old Crow’s nest. 


Red-tailed Hawk or Buzzard; Hen Hawk. 
Buteo borealis. 
PLATE XVI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs, — Usually three in number, seldom more or less, varying in shape from 
nearly spherical to oval, and average about 2.20 by 1.80 inches or more. They are 
dirty white or bluish white in ground color, sparingly or thickly spotted and blotched 
with several shades of reddish brown, interspersed with faint purplish, but vary con- 


siderable in distribution and color of markings. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
The Red-tail is a common resident of New England. The nest is usually 


placed in a tall pine, and is a large and bulky affair, composed of interlaced twig 


s 
with a slight depression in the centre, and lined with grasses, moss, leaves, etc. I 
knew a pair of these Hawks that built their nest in a bushy swamp at about three 
feet from the ground, on the stump of an overturned tree. They repaired and 
occupied the nest for seven successive years, and would probably have continued, 
had not the female been shot by a wanton sportsman. The eggs are laid about 
the middle of April. 


<4 6 »—_____ 


Red-shouldered Hawk. 
Buteo lineatus. 
PLATE. XUV IT: 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eacs.— Commonly three or four in number; two or five are extremely rare. 
They vary so remarkably in shape, color, and markings, that I shail attempt to 


deseribe but a few of the most typical. In some, the ground color is white, with a 


t=] 


(75) 


slight tinge of blue, blotched over the entire surface with thin dirty yellow, and finely 
marked with dull brown and burnt sienna; others are dirty white in ground color, 
with thin, semitransparent blotches of dull yellow, over which are spots and blotches 
of sienna red and dark brown, principally about the larger end, and intermingled 
throughout with llac spots. In others, the ground color is light yellow or cream 
color, with blotches of a deeper shade and yellowish brown; sometimes with a few 
scrawls of dark brown, and occasionally without any apparent markings. They 


measure about 2.20 by 1.70 inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Red-shouldered Hawk, like the preceding species, is a resident throughout 
the year; the majority, however, migrate. The nest is usually placed in a pine or 
hemlock, often in an oak or other deciduous tree. It is rather bulky, and composed 
of large sticks, lined with fine twigs, moss, and leaves. They usually build a new 
nest, but sometimes occupy the same one.many seasons. The eggs are laid about 


the last of April. 


Broad-winged Hawk. : 
Buteo pennsylvanicus. 
PLaTE XVII. 
DESCRIPTION, 

Eccs.— Nominally four in number, occasionally three or five. They are 
nearly spherical in form, and average about 2 by 1.65 inches; are white, marked with 
thin blotches of yellowish, over which are spots and blotches of reddish or yellowish 
and dark brown of varying intensity; others, with dull yellowish and reddish brown 
thinly or thickly distributed over the entire surface; and others with the same colors 
much subdued. 

NEST AND BREEDING HABITS. 


eland, but 


5 


This species is a common summer resident in Northern New En 
is rather rare in the southern part. The nest is usually placed in swamps or 
woodlands, in pines or hemlocks, from fifteen to fifty feet from the ground, 
and is composed of coarse sticks and twigs, lined with strips of bark, erasses, 
or feathers. The eggs are laid from the latter part of April to the middle of 
May. 


(79) 


Fish Hawk; Osprey. 
Landion haltactus. 
PLaTE XVII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Generally three in number, often two, and rarely four. They exhibit 
remarkable variation in color, size, shape, and distribution of markings, and measure 
from 2.60 to 2.20 in length, by 1.85 to 1.60 inches in breadth. They vary from 
being nearly pyriform to rounded oval. The ground color is white, bluish white, 
reddish white, light yellow, deep cream color, or buff, more or less thickly spotted 
and blotched over the entire surface with rich reddish and dark brown of varying 
shades. Some are so thickly and confluently blotched as to nearly hide the 
ground color; others confuently massed about the larger end,—sometimes the 
smaller end; and others sparingly spotted or blotched. But the variations are too 
numercus to attempt description. I have therefore represented four types of the 
most remarkable varieties. (Plate XVII.) 

Nests. — Are large and bulky structures, measuring from two and a half to 
four or five feet in the external diameter. They are composed of a mixture of 
large sticks and clods of earth, lined with sea-weed, and are generally added to and 
repaired from year to year. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

The Fish Hawk is a common summer resident of New England in the States 
bordering the sea, and in Massachusetts is much more common than most authors 
have generally supposed. It makes its appearance in March, usually nesting in 
communities, in tall trees, and is given by Mr. Merriam as building on the ground, 
in Connecticut, there being no desirable trees in the vicinity of their breeding 


erounds. 


5 


<i o > 


Golden Eagle. 
Aguila chryvsactus. 
Pirate XVITI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Usually two in number. They are nearly spherical in form, and 
measure from 2.65 to 3.45 in length, by 2.15 to 2.45 inches in breadth. They 
are white or creamy white in ground color, with obscure purplish or grayish shell 
markings, and light reddish or yellowish stains, over which are irregular spots and 


(So) 


Fis | 


a1] = 
bap } FE) el = I, my = 
White nee = 
\ A | | D 
Witd FiRed 
" love 
at = = 
Wa fa 112 en s = 


blotches of pale yellow, burnt sienna, or reddish brown. They are usually pretty 
evenly marked, though often most numerous about the larger end, and very rarely, 


they occur unmarked. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Golden Eagles in New England are residents of the three northern 
States only; and, from what I am able to gather, they are nowhere abundant. 
They construct a loose and bulky nest of large sticks on the projections of the 


nearly inaccessible cliffs in the mountainous regions. 


White-headed Eagle; Bald Eagle. 
Faliactus leucocephalus. 
Pirate XVIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces. — Usually two in number, and occasionally three. They are nearly 
spherical in form, average about 3 by 2.50 inches, and are ashy white or dull 


yellowish white, unmarked, but often stained with yellowish. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Bald Eagle is common in some parts of Northern New England, but is 
not very often seen in the southern portions, unless it be Western Massachusetts, 
where, as given by Mr. J. A. Allen, it “sometimes breeds on Mount Tom.” The 
nest does not essentially differ from that of the Fish Hawk, and is built on the top 
of a large tree. 


Se 


Wild Pigeon; Passenger Pigeon. 
Lictopistes migratorius. 
PLATE XVILI, 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eces.— Two in number, occasionally only one; are pure white, elliptical or 
nearly so in shape, and measure about 1.50 by 1.10 inches. 
Nests. — In communities, constructing a light, frail nest, consisting of a few 


interlaced twigs, through which the eggs may often be seen from the ground. 


(51) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This once abundant species of New England is becoming quite rare, being 
now chiefly confined to the northern portions as summer residents, though still 
numerous in Western Massachusetts. The eggs are laid in the months of April 


and May. 


met oe 


Wild Dove; Mourning Dove. 
Zenaedura carolinensts. 
Pirate XVIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Are to the number of two, nearly elliptical in form, pure white, and 


measure about 1.10 by .85 of an inch. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

A rare summer resident in Northern New England, but in the southern portion 
it is common in favorable localities, arriving in small flocks or single pairs about 
the last of March. About the middle of May the nest, much the same as that of 
the preceding species in construction, is placed in the woods in almost any kind of 
a tree, or in bushes, stumps, or even on the ground. Two broods are reared in 


a season. 


© 


Heath Hen. 
Cupidonia cupido. 
PLATE XXIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The egg represented is from a set of six in the collection of Mr. 
C. J. Maynard, which were collected at Martha’s Vineyard during the past season 
(1885), after all the other eggs had been figured, and was inserted in Plate XXIV., 
between the eggs of the Horned and Pied-billed Grebes, that being the most 
available place left. The following description is from the manuscript of Mr. 
Maynard: “ They are regularly oval in form, all the specimens being quite uni- 
form in this respect. The color is yellowish green of a peculiar shade, quite 
different from the more decided greenish brown seen in the Western species, 
from which the eggs now in hand also differ in being unspotted. There is 
little variation in the dimensions of all six, the average measurements being 
1.72 by 1.27 inches. This is the only set of eggs I have ever seen.” 


(52) 


BREEDING HABITS. 


This bird is of a peculiar species of Grouse, which inhabits Martha’s Vineyard, 
and recently separated from the Western Prairie Hen by Mr. William Brewster. 
In the dw, Vol. II., 1885, Mr. Brewster says: “ Formerly found at various points in 
Eastern Massachusetts, Southern Connecticut, Long Island, New Jersey, and Penn- 
sylvania; perhaps also Southern New England and the Middle States generally.” 
The same writer says: “ The Heath Hen (I use the vernacular name by which it 
was known to our forefathers) is still common on Martha's Vineyard, where it is 
mainly, if not exclusively, confined to the woods, haunting oak scrub by preference, 
and feeding largely on acorns. Being strictly protected by law, but few are probably 
killed. I am told by one of the Boston marketmen, however, that he has had as 
many as twenty from the Vineyard in a single season. He also says that they 
average nearly a pound less in weight than the Western specimens, and on this 
account do not sell as readily. The bird is not found on the neighboring island of 
Naushon, despite statements by recent writers to that effect, nor is there any good 
evidence that it ever occurred there. There is also no reason to believe that the 
stock on Martha’s Vineyard has been vitiated by the introduction of Western birds. 
It is simply the last remnant of a once more or less widely distributed race, 
preserved in this limited area, partly by accident, partly by care. According to the 


best testimony available, the colony is in no present danger of extinction.” 
y g 


Canada Grouse; Spruce Partridge. 
Tetrao canadensis. 
(REATE: OVAL, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— From six to fourteen in number, but usually about ten, and vary in 
size, shape, and markings. The ground color varies from a dull white to light 
yellow, deep cream color, or reddish buff, dotted and blotched irregularly over the 
entire surface with yellowish and dark brown. They average about 1.68 by 1.23 


inches. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is confined to Northern New England, where it is a permanent 
resident, and in some portions abundant. About the middle or latter part of April 
or early May it deposits its eggs on a few leaves in a depression made in the 

(83) 


ground, usually selecting some retired and swampy location. These birds are so 
tame and easy of approach that they are fast being exterminated, and sent to our 


city markets in great numbers. 


—_———__—« 


Ruffed Grouse; Partridge. 

Bonasa umbellis, 

PrATE xX Vili. 

DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Are commonly from eight to twelve in number. They vary from a 
pale yellowish white to a dark cream color, sparingly marked with a few yellowish or 
light sienna dots, and are often unmarked. They vary in shape from being nearly 
pyriform to a rounded oval, and measure from 1.70 to 1.60 in length, by 1.28 to 

1.15 inches in breadth. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

This well-known bird is an abundant resident of New England throughout the 
year. The last of April or first of June the female hollows a place in the ground, 
lining it with a few leaves, grasses, or moss, and deposits her ee 


ror 
oo 


s. They are laid 
either in the high or low ground, and probably never attempt to rear a second 


brood, unless an accident has befallen the first, as the young mature slowly. 


Virginia Partridge; Quail or Bob-white. 
Ortyx virginianus. 
PuLaTE XVIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eecs.— Are from eight to twenty-four in number, but usually about sixteen. 
They are pure white, with a brilliant surface, sometimes stained with yellowish, are 


abruptly pyriform in shape, and measure 1.20 by 1 inch. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS, 

The Partridge is common in the three southern States of New England, and 
rapidly becomes rare as we advance north of Massachusetts. The nest is placed on 
the ground in open fields or brush-land, at the base of a low bush, tuft of grass, or in 
a brier thicket, and usually consists of dead leaves, strips of bark, and grass. The 


eggs are laid about the last of May. A second set is sometimes laid, and fresh eggs 


are occasionally found as late as November in Southern New England. 


(84) 


Kildeer Plover. 
gialitis vociferus. 
Pirate XVIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Invariably four in number; measure from 1.45 to 1.65 in length, by 
1.12 to 1.05 inches in breadth, and are narrowly pyriform in shape. The ground 
color is yellowish buff or dull clay color, with yellowish and blackish brown spots, 
blotches, and scrawls, interspersed with small spots of slate or purplish, all of which 
are chiefly disposed about the larger end. In some, the spots are fine and rather 


rounded, devoid of scratches and scrawls. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

The Kildeer can hardly be called common in New England, though it is pretty 
well distributed. It arrives from the South about the first of March, and begins to 
breed about the first week in May, occasionally about the large ponds and lakes 
in the interior, but more common along the seacoast. Wilson, in describing the 
nest, says: “ The nest is usually slight, a mere hollow, with such materials drawn in 
around it as happen to be near, such as bits of sticks, straw, pebbles, or earth. In 
one instance I found the nest of the bird paved with fragments of clam and oyster 
shells, and very neatly surrounded with a mound or border of the same, placed in a 
very close and curious manner. In some cases there is no vestige whatever of a 


nest.” But one brood is reared in a season. 


Piping Plover; Ringneck. 
egialitis melodus. 
PiaTE XVIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Are four in number, rarely five; are abruptly pyriform in shape, and 
average in dimensions about 1.28 by .g2 of an inch. They are light clay color or 
sometimes creamy buff in ground color, finely and sparsely marked all over with 
blackish brown and lilac or slate-colored dots. 

NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

This species is abundantly distributed along the seacoast of New England. 
They make their appearance about the last of April in small flocks, and soon after 
their arrival begin to pair. The last of May or early in June the eggs are laid, 


(85) 


either upon the bare sand, or upon a few pieces of dry grass or sea-weed carelessly 
placed together. The islands along the coast seem to be their favorite resort, and 
seldom wander far towards the interior of the main-land. But one set of eggs 


is laid during a season. 


Red Phalarope. 
LPrhalaropus fulicarius, 
PuatEes XVIII. ano XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Usually four, though occasionally three in number; are pyriform in 
shape, and average about 1.25 by .82 of an inch. The ground color varies from 
light greenish olive to a brownish drab, thickly spotted and blotched all over with 
thin, semitransparent brown, blackish brown, and a few markings of purplish 
lilac, often becoming confluent at the larger end, and completely concealing the 
ground color. 

NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

The Red Phalaropes inhabit New England chiefly as migrants, arriving in 
small flocks of three or four, frequenting the shores of ponds and lakes and the 
seashore. It usually breeds in the more northern sections of our continent; but, 
like the Northern Phalarope, is occasionally seen, during the breeding season, in 
Northern Maine. In a letter from Mr. Boardman, he says: “ Twice I have found 
the Red Phalarope breeding in Maine.” The eggs are laid the first part of June, 
in a slight depression made on the groun 1, sparsely lined with moss and grass, 


and but one brood is reared in a season. 


$4.6 > _____— 


~ Woodcock. 
Philohela minor. 
PLATE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION, 
Eccs.— The number of eggs is usually four, sometimes three; they measure 
about 1.55 by 1.20 inches, though varying, and are somewhat pyriform in shape. 
The ground color varies, but is usually a rich creamy drab or light buff, thickly 


spotted and blotched with light reddish browns and obscure spots of lilac and slate 


CC NK . 


(86) 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Woodcock is commonly distributed over all New England as a summer 
resident, but is more numerous in the northern than southern portion. It is an 
early breeder, selecting a dry spot in swampy land, in a birch or alder thicket, or in 
underbrush, in early April, to commence nidification. It lays its eggs on the bare 
ground, but sometimes makes use of a few leaves, barely sufficient to keep them 
from the ground. They are very assiduous in the duties of incubation, and will 
not leave the nest until closely approached. I have known of birds being killed 
while on the nest with sticks in hands of wanton boys, and caught by the well- 


known pest to many of our birds, the farmers’ grimalkin. 


_———<$—$ 


American Snipe; Wilson’s Snipe. 
Gallinago witsont. 
PLATE XIX. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— The usual number of eggs is four, often three; they are pyriform in 
shape, and measure about 1.55 by 1.10 inches, but vary considerably. The ground 
color varies from olivaceous drab to greenish brown, marked with umber-brown 
spots and blotches of varying intensity and a few obscure shell spots. They are 
occasionally marked with lines and scrawls of black or dark brown; sometimes 
evenly marked throughout the entire surface, but usually most numerous and con- 


fluent about the larger end or half. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Snipe breeds in Northern New England, northward, though it has 
been known to breed as far south as Massachusetts, but such an occurrence 
is extremely rare. About the first week in May the eggs are laid in a slight 
depression made in the moss or grass of a boggy meadow, and occasionally on a 


few grasses and leaves collected together by the bird. But one brood is reared 


in a season. 


Willet. 
Lotanus semipalmatus. 
PLATE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Almost invariably four in number; are pyriform in shape, and vary 
in dimensions from 1.90 to 2.15 in length, by 1.45 to 1.58 inches in breadth. 
The ground color is brownish olive, pale olive, drab, greenish, or greenish white, 
but usually of the two former colors, marked with bold and decided spots or small 
blotches throughout the whole surface, and sometimes confluent about the greater 


end with various shades of umber brown and obscure shell markings. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

The Willet is a rare resident all along the New England coast, arriving in the 
latter part of April or early in May. Rev. J. H. Langille, in describing the nest of 
this species, says: “ The Willet does not belong to those birds which make their 
nests on the open beach by simply scooping out a little hollow in the sand. It 
seeks the shelter of the marshes, building quite a bulky nest in some tussock of 
grass, the nest being raised sometimes as much as five or six inches, and com- - 
posed of dried rushes and grasses. As it is pretty well rounded up, the four 
pyriform eggs, lying with their points together, seem almost to stand on the points, 
presenting their larger ends to the body of the bird.” But one brood is reared in 


a season. 


Solitary Sandpiper. 
Totanus solitarius. 
PLATE XIX 
DESCRIPTION. 


Eces.— Light drab in ground color, finely spotted with dark brown and slate- 


fo) 


colored shell markings over the entire surface. They are pyriform in shape, and 
measure about 1.37 by .95 of an inch. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Solitary Sandpiper is common throughout New England, during the 


migrations frequenting the shores of the fresh-water ponds and lakes, singly and in 


r=) 


pairs, The above description is taken from the eee collected and loaned to me 
55 


by Mr. Jenness Richardson. In a letter, Mr. Richardson says: “At Lake Bom- 


(58) 


bazine, Castleton, Vt., near what is known as ‘ Birch Point, there is a small stream 
emptying into the lake, at the mouth of which is a large swampy tract, covering 
several acres, and having a dense growth of alders. The swamp at this time of the 
year is partially flooded. Here the Woodcock, Snipe, and Solitary Sandpiper are 
very abundant. A search was at once commenced to find the nest of the latter 
bird. One morning, about twenty feet from me, as I was about to enter the 
swamp, I flushed one of these birds, which displayed considerable anxiety. I 
immediately began hunting for its nest, which I soon discovered, concealed, and 
partly sheltered, by a thicket of small hemlocks. The nest was a mere depression 
on the ground, without any vestige of a lining whatever, and contained only one 
egg. The bird was shot, and, upon dissection, two eggs were found, which 
would probably have been laid in a few days. This egg was found May 28, 
1878.” Mr. James W. Banks, St. John, N. B., found a nest of this bird, July 3, 
1880, containing three eggs. It was on the shore of a lake in the suburbs of 
the city, about two hundred yards from the edge of the lake, on a dry spot in 


the midst of a rather swampy patch of meadow. 


Spotted Sandpiper. 


Tringowules macularius. 


PLaTE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The number of eggs in a set is usually four, are abruptly pyriform 


in shape, and average about 1.30 by .97 of an inch. They are light creamy brown 
or yellowish drab in ground color, marked with spots, blotches, and dots of blackish 
brown, a few yellowish spots, and obscure shell markings. They are sometimes 
pretty evenly marked, but usually become confluent and more heavily blotched about 


the larger end. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is pretty generally distributed over all New England, arriving 
from the South the latter part of April or beginning of May. The time of incuba- 
tion is from the first to the middle of May. It breeds upon sandy flats and marshes 
near the seacoast, or in fields and meadows in the interior, usually in the neighbor- 
hood of ponds and lakes. The nest is sometimes nothing more than a slight cavity 
scratched upon the surface of the ground, but generally has a slight lining of grass, 
straw, or moss. 


(f9) 


Bartram’s Sandpiper; Upland Plover. 
Alctiturus bartramius. 
PLATE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 


EGes: 


Are four in number; sometimes, though rarely, three. They are 

more oval in form than most of the other waders, and average in dimensions about 

1.75 by 1.28 inches. In ground color they area rich buff or creamy drab spotted 

with yellowish, reddish, purplish, and dark browns, and the usual obscure neutral 
d 


shell spots. The markings are pretty evenly distributed over the entire 


tinte g 


surface, but are usually more numerous about the larger end, and are very rarely 


blotched, the markings being rather small. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

This Sandpiper is rather rare in New England as a summer resident, but is 
abundant during the migrations in May and August. It differs from the other 
waders, by preferring the dry upland fields and pastures to those of marshes and 
flats. The nest is a mere depression in the earth, with a few grass-stalks barely 
sufficient to keep the eggs from the ground. <A set of eggs I found at the “South 
Shore” of Martha’s Vineyard, 1878, was deposited on the bare ground. Merely a 
slight hollow had been scraped on the sandy loam, without any vestige of a nest 
whatever. The bird was very shy, and circled around at considerable height, but 
with great anxiety, repeating its call-note at short intervals. But one brood is 


reared In a season. 


Great Blue Heron. 
Ardea herodias. 
PLATE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ececs.— Are three, more commonly four, and sometimes five; are nearly 
elliptical, although they vary in shape; measure about 2.62 by 1.75 inches, and 


are of a pale bluish green color. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
The Great Blue Heron is a common summer resident of New England in 
suitable localities, and is abundant in certain sections of Maine. It makes its 


appearance the middle of April or a little earlier, and commences building about 


(90) 


the middle of May. The nest is a loose construction placed in trees, usually in 
hemlock or cedar swamps, in New England, and is composed of interlaced sticks 
and twigs, with a slight hollow in the centre. But one brood is reared in a 


season. 


Green Heron. 
Ardea virescens. 
PLATE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Are from three to six in number, usually four or five; nearly elliptical 
in shape; average about 1.50 by 1.20 inches; are pale greenish blue, and unmarked, 


- ’ = 
as are all Herons’ eggs. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

A common summer resident throughout New England. It makes its appear- 
ance the last of April, and begins building about the middle or last of May in com- 
munities, and often in single pairs, or in company with the Great Blue or Night 
Herons. The nest is placed on the branches or near the trunk of a tree or bush, 
usually in the vicinity of pools or ponds, and is loosely constructed of sticks and 


twigs. But one brood is reared in a season. 


<1 


Night Heron; Qua-bird. 
Nyetiardea grisea. 
PLaTE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ecos. — Are from three to six in number, usually four. I have found as many 
as eight in a nest, but they were probably laid by more than one bird. They are 
light bluish green in color, although they vary a trifle in shade in different speci- 
mens. They vary in form and size, being either oval or elliptical, and average 


about 2.10 by 1.45 inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is the most abundant of Herons in New England, and is dis- 


tributed over all New England in large communities, during the breeding season, in 


(gt) 


suitable situations. It arrives from the South about the last of April. Few, 
however, have been known to remain in Southern New England through the 
winter. About the 20th of May they begin to construct a rather durable nest, 
which is often bulky, of sticks and twigs, and will return to the same nest year 
after year, if not disturbed. It is generally placed on the horizontal limbs close to 
the trunk of a tree in thick and dense swamps, those of the cedar being the ones 


most often selected. 


=o 


American Bittern; Indian Hen. 
Potaurus minor. 
PLaTE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Are usually four in number, occasionally five, and often three ; broadly 
elliptical in form, measuring about 1.90 by 1.50 inches, and are dark yellowish 
or brownish drab in color, The one represented in the plate is an average 


specimen, some varying lighter or darker. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

A common summer resident of New England, and abundant in certain sections 
of the northern portion. It arrives from the South about the middle of April, and 
breeds in boggy meadows and bushy swamps in communities, and often in single 
pairs. About the first of May the nest is placed in a tussock or on the ground, 
and is composed of reeds and weed-stalks. But one brood is reared in a 


season. 


— — ——~ee — — — 


Least Bittern. 
Arietta exilis, 
PLATE XIX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — From three to five in number, usually four; are pale bluish white 
when first laid, but soon fade to a lighter tint. They are nearly elliptical in form, 


and measure from 1.20 to 1.30 in length, by .go to .98 of an inch in breadth. 


(92) 


/%.Florida Gallinule. 
t; Mudhen 
Jusky Duc 


7 ntl. Green-winged Teal 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This, the smallest of the family of Herons, is rather rare in New England, 
excepting in the extreme southern portions, where it may be considered as common 
in some localities. It occurs, however, quite commonly on the marshes of the 
Concord River, in Massachusetts, and breeds there regularly. Like the preceding 
species, it inhabits the marshy districts, and constructs its nest upon tussocks and 
masses of broken reeds and rushes, just above the water, and sometimes in low 


bushes. It is composed of reeds, grass, and the like, finer towards the inside. 


=o > 


Clapper Rail. 
Rallus longirostris. 
PLATE XX. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Ececs. — Usually seven or eight in number, and vary from being pointedly, but 
not sharply, oval to nearly elliptical in form, and measure from 1.84 to 1.63 in 
length, by 1.25 to 1.14 inches in breadth. They are creamy drab or pale yellowish 
buff in ground color, spotted rather sparingly throughout with llaceous shell 
spots, reddish purple and reddish brown. In some the spots are most numerous 
about the larger end. 

NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS: 

This Rail is a rare visitor to all of the New England States, but has not been 
known to breed in any of them excepting Connecticut, as far as I have been able 
to ascertain. I took a female specimen at Canton, Mass., in the latter part of May, 
1879; another was taken in the same locality a few days later; other records of its 
presence in this and the other States of New England are numerous, and the 
probability is that it may breed farther north than is now known. It is a bird 
mostly of the salt marsh, and in these localities it often goes by the name of Marsh- 
hen or Mud-hen. They are very diligent in the duties of incubation and very 
shy, though they will not leave the nest until one is almost upon them, when they 


oh the tall grass and 


c 


quickly and noiselessly conceal themselves by running throu 
reeds. The nest is usually well hidden under a tuft of grass or among the reeds, 
and is composed of dry grasses and reeds, slightly hollowed. 


(93) 


Virginia Rail. 
Rallus virginianus. 
PLATE XX, 

DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — From six to twelve in number, usually about eight; are pale creamy 

or reddish buff in ground color, spotted with obscure lilac, reddish brown, and 
purple of different shades. They are usually sparingly spotted and slightly 
blotched over the entire surface, but more thickly about the larger end, the 
majority of specimens greatly resembling in color and markings those of the 
Clapper Rail. They vary in shape from rounded to pointed oval, and measure 


from 1.30 to 1.23 in length, by .97 to .9o of an inch in breadth. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


A common summer resident throughout New England; they frequent both the 
salt-water and fresh-water marshes, but prefer the latter. It makes its first appear- 
ance about the first of May, sometimes a little earlier. The nest is placed in a 
tussock of grass or on the ground, anywhere from the middle of May to the first 


of June, sometimes later. It consists of reeds and grasses, and is hollowed. But 


one brood is reared unless the first is broken up. 


$$ ¢ »—_______ 


Carolina Rail; Sora Rail. 
Lorsana carolina, 
PLATE XX, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eacs.— The number of eges laid, color, and disposition of the markings, are 
about the same as those of the preceding species, but they differ in ground color, 
being a yellowish drab with a decided olive tint and are easily distinguished. They 
measure about 1.20 by .go of an inch. Many occur lighter than the one in the 
plate. 

NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


Like the preceding species, this bird is common throughout New England, 


gS 
and in many localities is abundant. The nest and breeding habits are also about 
the same. 

(94) 


Yellow Rail; Crake. 
Porzana noveboracensis. 
PLATE XX. 
DESCRIPTION, 
Eccs. — Usually about five or six, and measure about 1.10 by .82 of an inch. 
They are of a reddish buff in ground color, finely dotted over the entire surface 
with lilac and brownish ‘red, and spots of the latter color clustered around the 


larger end. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is a rare summer visitor in New England, and is seen mostly 
during the migration. The nesting habits do not differ essentially from those of 
the other Rails. Mr. Boardman informs me that he has found it breeding near 
Calais, Me., and frequently seen other birds of this species during the breeding 


season, 


=o > 


Florida Gallinule; Common Gallinule. 
Gallinula galeata. 
PLATE XX, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— From four to ten in number, usually about six; measure from 1.92 
to 1.54 in length, by 1.32 to 1.12 inches in breadth, and are nearly elliptical or 
rounded oval in shape. They are dirty cream color or brownish buff, with spots 
and small blotches of reddish and purplish brown over the entire surface, thickly 
intermingled with fine dots of the same colors. The markings are usually pretty 


evenly distributed, though often most numerous about the larger end. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
This species is a rare and occasional visitor in the three northern States of 
New England, is not uncommon in Massachusetts, and breeds regularly in the two 
southern States. “The nest of the Common Gallinule is usually built on shallow 


about ten or 


water, among the sedges and marsh grass, to which it is fastened, 
twelve inches in diameter, and continued six or eight inches above the surface of 
the water, often with an indentation to one side, like a platform, for walking up 


from the water. This elegant raft, made of leaves of cat-tails, sedges, and marsh 


& 
grass, is neatly hollowed like a saucer on the top.” (Rev. J. H. Langille.) 


(95) 


Coot; Mud-hen. 
Lulica americana, 
PLATE XX. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Are from six to twelve in number, usually about ten. They vary in 
form, and measure from 2 to 1.75 in length, by 1.38 to 1.20 inches in breadth. 
They are clay color, or pale creamy brown, profusely and minutely dotted 
throughout the entire surface with obscure lilac and purplish browns, sparingly 
intermingled with larger dots or spots of the latter color. Sometimes the mark- 


c 


ings tend to gather about the larger end, and with a few blotches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

The Mud-hen, as it is often called, arrives from the South late in April or 
early in May, and breeds from Northern New England, southward. The mode of 
nesting is similar to that of the preceding species,— the nest being arranged in 
the reeds or cat-tails in such a way as to rise and fall with the tide, though it is 


sometimes placed in fresh-water marshes, and sometimes upon the wet or boggy 


ground, 


Dusky Duck; Black Duck. 
Anas obscura. 
PLaTE XX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Are from six to twelve in number, usually seven or eight; are elliptical 
or nearly so in shape, measure about 2.30 by 1.70 inches, and vary from creamy 


white to a pale buff color. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

This species is the most abundant of all our Ducks. It is a common resident, 
breeds throughout New England, and abundantly in the northern portion. The 
incubation period is from the last of April to the early part of June. The nest is 
placed on the ground, in the grass or rushes in the neighborhood of ponds, pools, or 
streams, in meadows, and’ sometimes swamps. It is a large and neatly arranged 
structure of weeds and grass, nicely hollowed and lined with down and feathers 
from the breast of the bird. 

(96) 


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PLATE XXl 


Fig.5. Merganser, Goosander. 
. 2. Golden-eyed Duck. . 6. Red-breasted Merganser. 
» .8. Eider Duck « .7. Hooded Merganser. 

» 4.Ruddy » » &. Common Cormorant . 


Fig. |. Summer Duck. 


Green-winged Teal. 
Querguedula carolinensis, 
PLATE XX. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — From five to ten in number, usually about eight; are oval or elliptical 


in contour, and average about 1.82 by 1.28 inches. They are creamy or buff color, 


with a slight greenish tinge. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

It arrives from the South early in May, and breeds from Northern New 
England northward and westward, preferring the inland ponds and lakes to the salt 
water. The nest is placed upon the ground in meadows in the thick grass or 
reeds, or on the borders of ponds and streams. It is constructed of grass and 


weeds, with a slight lining of down and feathers. 


Blue-winged Teal. 
Querquedula discors. 
PLATE XX. 
DESCRIPTION. 

The eggs, nests, and breeding habits of the Blue-winged Teal are identical with 
those of the Green-wing. It is common in the migrations, appearing in the spring 
about the last of April, and continues on to higher latitudes to pass the period of 
incubation. Occasionally, however, a pair remains in Northern Maine to rear its 
young. Mr. Geo. A. Boardman informs me that it bred about Calais, Me., a few 


years ago, but has now entirely disappeared in that locality. 


Summer Duck; Wood Duck. 
Ax sporsa. 
PLATE XOXC1, 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — From eight to twelve in number, sometimes more and seldom less. 
They are elliptical in form, of a dirty yellowish white color, and average about 2 
by 1.50 inches. 

(97) 


Nersts.— Usually placed in the hollow of a decayed tree, in some retired 
locality; the hole at the entrance being so small, sometimes, that it would seem 
almost impossible for the bird to pass in and out. The hollow is often as much as 
five or six feet in depth, at the bottom of which the nest is placed. It is composed 
of twigs or grass-stems, lined with a thick felting of soft down from the breast 
of the bird. They often occupy the same nest for many successive years, and if 
robbed of their eggs, will, after a few days’ deliberation, lay a second set. 

BREEDING HABITS. 

This beautiful bird, the handsomest of our Ducks, is an abundant summer 

resident throughout New England, making its appearance usually the latter part of 


March. Incubation commences the last of April or early in May. 


Golden-eyed Duck. 
Bucephala clangula. 
PLATE XXI. 
DESCRIPTION, 
Eces.— Usually about eight or ten in number, rounded oval in form, of a light 


green color, and vary in dimensions from 2.55 to 2.25 in length, by 1.78 to 1.70 


ashy 


inches in breadth. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This species breeds in Northern New England and northward; is known 
chiefly as a migrant, and_often remains throughout the winter in the southern 
portion. It builds in hollow trees or in the tops of decayed stubs. The nest 


consists of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with down from the bird’s breast. 


Eider Duck. 
Somaterta mollissima, 
PLaTE XNI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

EGcs.— From six to ten in number, usually about eight; are dull greenish 
drab, and most often sparingly marked with spots and blotches of a semitransparent 
dark green substance, which appears to be of an oily nature, and may be easily 
scraped off. They are often stained with yellowish, probably from the feet of the 
bird. They measure about 3 by 2 inches. 


(95) 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
’ The Eider Duck is a summer resident of New England, breeding sparingly 
along the eastern coast of Maine, northward. Incubation begins in June or early 
in July. The nest is placed on the ground, and is composed of weeds and 


grasses, upon which is a thick lining or layer of down taken from the breast of 


the bird. 
Ruddy Duck; Dipper Duck. 
Lrismatura rubiua. 
PLaTE XXI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— Number about a dozen, often more or less. They are ashy white in 


color, elliptical in form, and measure about 2.50 by 1.75 inches. 
Nests. —“ The nest may be quite well built of fine colored grasses, circularly 
laid, or simply a mere matting together of the tops of green marsh grass, with a 


slight addition of some dry flexible material.” (Rev. J. H. Langille.) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
This is a bird of high latitude during the breeding season, though it breeds 
occasionally as far south as Northern Maine, and young in the down have been 
taken on Cape Cod; thus it is extremely probable that the Ruddy Duck may 


Pd 


breed there. 


<3 o> 


Merganser; Goosander; Fish Duck; Sheldrake. 
Mergus merganser. 
PiaTE XXI. 
DESCRIPTION: 

Eces.— Usually about eight in number, often more, and occasionally less. 
They are rounded oval in form, measuring from 2.50 to 2.80 in length, by 1.70 
to 1.90 inches in breadth; are yellowish white in color, sometimes varying to a 
light buff. 


NEsTs. 


Are placed in the hollows of decayed trees, after the manner of 
the Wood Ducks, and are composed of leaves, moss, and grasses, over which is 


placed a thick layer of down from the breast of the parent bird. 
(90) 


BREEDING HABITS. 
Well known as a migrant and winter resident. Breeds in Northern New 
England and northward. It is a bird mostly of the coast, having all the habits of 


the Sea Ducks, but repairs to the vicinity of fresh-water ponds and Jakes in the 


interior to rear its young. 


=o — 


Red-breasted Merganser. 
Mergus serrater. 
Puate XXI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — The number of eggs in a set varies from six to twelve, usually about 
nine or ten; they are oval or elliptical in shape, and vary in dimensions from 2.65 
to 2.48 in length, by 1.82 to 1.65 inches in breadth. The color is a yellowish or 


reddish drab, and sometimes a dull buff, occasionally inclining to green. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
A common migrant and winter resident. Breeds commonly in Northern New 


England, northward. Unlike the other two Mergansers, they nest on the ground 


grass and bushes, in a hollow scooped in the earth, on the 


amongst the tall ¢ 


woody shores of fresh-water ponds and creeks which make in from the sea. They 
are composed of dry leaves, moss, lichens, and the like, lined with down and 


feathers. 


Hooded Merganser. 
Mergus cucullatus. 
PLATE XXI. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— Vary from seven to fourteen in number, — usually about a dozen; 
are of a delicate pearly white, rounded oval or nearly spherical in contour, and 
average about 2.13 by 1.75 inches. 

NES’S AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Hooded Mer 


in distribution and nesting habits is not unlike that of the A/ergus merganser, 


ganser is partial to the ponds and lakes of the interior, and 
is much more rare, but breeds sparingly in Northern Maine. The young soon 


take to the water, as is the case with all the swimming birds. 


(100) 


Common Cormorant; Shag. 
Graculus carbo. 
PLATE XXI. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The complement of eggs is usually three, sometimes four, and rarely 
two. They are pale greenish blue, covered over the surface with a thick chalky 
coating, which soon becomes stained, scratched, and often partly removed by the 


feet of the bird. They are narrowly elliptical in form, and measure about 2.75 by 


1.65 inches. 
; NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Common Cormorant is well known along the New England coast in the 
autumn and winter months, and breeds commonly as far south as the island of 
Grand Menan, off the coast of Maine. It is found breeding in communities, upon 
the tops of ledges, or on projections and in the crevices of precipitous rocks, which 
are whitened over with the excrement of the birds. The nest is usually bulky, 
and composed of a large quantity of sea-weed. It is placed from a few feet toa 


considerable height above high water. 


a 0 


Double-crested Cormorant. 
Graculus ailophus, 
PLaTE XXII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — The eggs exactly correspond to those of the preceding species, except 
that they average a little smaller, measuring about 2.30 by 1.40 inches. 
NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
The distribution and nesting habits are also about the same as those of the 


preceding species. 


<0 


Great Black-backed Gull. 


Larus martaus. 
PLATE XXII. 
DESCRIPTION: 
Eces.— Usually three in number; vary in shape from pointedly to broadly 
oval, and measure about 2.95 by 2.25 inches. The eggs, as well as those of the 
succeeding species, exhibit so great a variation in ground color, also in shade and 


(101) 


frequency of the spots and blotches with which they are marked, that any one 
description would be very inadequate. In Plate XXIL, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, I 
have represented two types of the Great Black-back and three of the Herring. 
The eggs of the one might be readily taken for the other, as regards ground 
color and markings; but those of the Herring Gull average a little smaller, — 


measuring about 2.75 by 1.90 inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Great Black-back formerly bred commonly along on the coast of Maine, 
but a few, if any, do now. It breeds sparingly on Grand Menan. The nest is 


placed on the naked rock, and is composed of sea-weeds, sticks, ete. 


Herring Gull; Common Gull. 
Larus argentatus. 
PLraTE XXII. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs.— For description of eggs, see Great Black-backed Gull. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This species is a common summer resident in localities in Eastern Maine and 
northward. About the last of June the nest is built and eggs laid. The nest is 
placed on the ground or on rocks, and sometimes in trees. It consists of a heap of 
grasses, mosses, sea-weed, and dirt. Rev. J. H. Langille, on the breeding habits of 
this Gull, says: “ Visiting Seal Island, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, last June 
(1883), I was most intensely interested in studying the nesting of these Gulls on 
trees. A great part of the island, as also of other islands in the vicinity, is covered 
with a peculiar growth of black spruce (4 dzes nigra); rather low, as if stunted by 
the cold, foggy atmosphere, the branches are very thick and numerous for the 
height of the tree, as if made dense by the shortening of the trunk; and the broad 
top is as flat as a Chinese umbrella. Climbing to the tops of these trees, one seems 
to have reached an immense level plane of dark green, across which a squirrel 
might run with all ease. Indeed, it almost appears to the eye as if a man might 


(102) 


traverse it, at least with snow-shoes. My first survey of this scene was just after 
a bright June sunset. All over this expanse of dark verdure, hundreds of Gulls 
were alighted, singly, in pairs, and in groups; their chaste white figures most 
elegantly tinted with rosy hues of the lingering sunlight, while many others were 
describing their grand and noisy circles overhead. In the open spaces, where fire 
had destroyed the trees,a good many nests were on the ground, built as described 
above; but many more were on the almost level tops of the trees, and were con- 
structed precisely like those on the ground. In foggy weather, this immense colony 
of birds, much magnified by the mists, as they describe their maze of circles in the 
sky, are a weirdly grand sight, which cannot be surpassed even by that of hundreds 
that sail through the mists arising from Niagara Falls in winter. On searching the 
above locality for nests, one is well convinced of the increased security resulting 
from this change in the manner of nesting; and one is not a little surprised at the 


sagacity of the bird which has availed itself of so evident an advantage.” 


Laughing Gull; Black-headed Gull. 
Larus atricilla, 
PEATE: KK, 


DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs. — Usually three in number, sometimes two, and vary in dimensions from 
2.28 to 2 in length, by 1.65 to 1.50 inches in breadth. They vary in ground 
color and markings in about the same manner as those of the two preceding 
species. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This, a Southern species, arrives from the South in April, and breeds but 
sparingly along the coast of New England, commencing incubation some time 
during the month of May. The nest is usually placed in some sandy situation, and 
sometimes on. the border of a marshy flat. It is usually a slight structure of a few 
pieces of grass, sea-weed, and sticks, slightly hollowed. Along the western coast of 
Florida, in the spring of 1881, I observed great numbers breeding in colonies, 


together with a few of other species. When disturbed, they rose in a perfect 


(103) 


cloud, hovering overhead with tumultuous screams, breaking the monotony of the 
almost uninhabited stretches of desolate and sandy shores, and changing the scene 
into what seemed a perfect pandemonium, which was startling and indescribable. 
Some of these places are visited as soon as the inhabitants—who come for 
many miles—have ascertained the birds to be incubating, and all the eggs are 
destroyed; after which they go every day or two for the fresh eggs, which are 
very edible. When thus robbed, the unfortunate birds are kept laying for some 
considerable time; at least, as long as an egg diet continues palatable to the 


“ Crackers.” 


Common Tern; Wilson’s Tern; Sea Swallow. 
Sterna hirundo. 
PLaTE XXIII. 
DESCRIPTION, 


Eccs.— From two to five in number, commonly three, often four, and 
sometimes two or five, and average about 1.70 by 1.25 inches. They exhibit great 
variation in ground color, also in markings, and cannot be distinguished from the 
two succeeding species. In the plate I have figured eight specimens of the 
Common, Arctic, and Roseate, and those of the one are faithful representations of 
either of the other two. I have examined a large number of sets of these three 
species, both on the breeding grounds and in collections, and fail to distinguish any 
appreciable difference by which they may be determined. The only positive means 
of identification, when breeding in colonies with the other species, is by watching 


the bird to or from its nest. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


This species, the most abundant of our Terns, is found breeding all along the 
coast of New England, in suitable localities. The period of incubation commences 
about the first of June. .They sometimes construct quite a bulky nest of straws, 
grasses, and sea-weed, often a slight arrangement of the same, and again it is a 
mere depression upon the bare grass or sand. 


(104) 


Arctic Tern. 
Sterna MaACroura, 
PiateE XXIII. 

DESCRIPTION. 


Eccs. — For description of eggs, see preceding species. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
The Arctic Tern is distributed along the New England coast, in the same 
manner as the Common Tern, is less numerous, and is more abundant in the 


northern than the southern portion. It breeds in communities with the other 


Terns, though sometimes by themselves. 


Roseate Tern. 

Sterna paradisea. 
PLaTE XXIII. 7 
DESCRIPTION. | 


Ecos. — For description of eggs, see Common Tern, 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

This species occurs along the shores of Southern New England, with about 
the same degree of frequency as the preceding species. It isa Southern bird, and 
does not breed in any numbers north of Massachusetts. The only places that I 
have seen it in any abundance are the islands of Muskegat, Nantucket, and 
Martha’s Vineyard. On the former island it breeds, commonly associating with 
the large flocks of the Common Tern, from which it is not easily distinguishable, 


unless one is quite near. The nesting habits are essentially the same as those of 


the two preceding species. 


Least Tern. 
Sterna supereiliarts. 
Pirate XXIII. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ecos. — Usually three in number, sometimes two, and seldom four. They 
average about 1.25 by .95 of an inch, are rounded oval in form, and vary in ground 


color from a light pale drab to an olivaceous or deep buff, pretty evenly marked 


(105) 


over the entire surface with spots of obscure lilac or slate color and browns of 
different intensity; or with large blotches of the same colors, tending to forma 
wreath about the larger half, and small spots scattered elsewhere. Sometimes 


these two types are combined. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
The Least Tern occurs in New England under the same circumstances as 
the Roseate. It arrives from the South about the first of May, commencing incu- 
bation about the first of June in the same localities, and nests in a like manner 


as the other Terns. 


o> —— = 


Leache’s Petrel. 
Cymochorea leucorrhoa. 
PLATE XIV. 
DESCRIPTION: 
Eces,— This species lays only one egg, which is pure white when first laid, 
but soon becomes stained and discolored by the bird’s feet and belly. It is 
sometimes marked with fine confluent dots of obscure pink or lilac clustered 


around the larger end. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

Breeds on the islands off the eastward coast of Maine, northward. Rev. J. H. 
Langille says: “ The burrows of the year were readily distinguished by their fresh 
appearance, and by the excavated dirt newly thrown out. Down on hands and 
knees we went to work, digging for the sitting birds. The reddish mould, staining 
the hands and clothing of the operator, was quite mellow; and following the sinuous 
course of the burrows, generally several feet in length, the birds, each with its 
single egg, were soon brought to light. Occasionally the burrow contained two 
birds and no egg, the pair probably cohabiting previous to incubation. On being 
unearthed, the birds seemed perfectly astounded and stupid, — dazed, perhaps, from 
having the light of day thus suddenly let in upon them. Sometimes they would 
sidle off the egg; often they would permit themselves to be taken without any 
effort to escape. If thrown into the air, they would come down again, almost or 
quite to the ground, striking against any object which might happen to be in their 
way. Only after a few seconds could they command their wonted agility and 
swiftness of wing. Frequently, if taken in the hand or flying against a bush or a 


(106) 


). H orne d 
4 Heath H 


stump, they would vomit the clear yellow oil from which their peculiar odor arises, 
and which is common to the whole family of Petrels.” “About Mud and Seal 
Islands, N. S., their nests could be found all through the woods, —in the ground, 


in rotten logs and stumps, and under the roots of trees.” 


<2 


Great Northern Diver; Loon. 
Colymbus torguatus. 
PLATE XXIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — Are normally two in number, sometimes three; they vary from being 
narrowly oval to elliptical in form, and measure from 3.90 to 3.40 in length, by 
2.38 to 2.10 inches in breadth. They vary from an olive brown to an olive drab 
in ground color, sparingly marked with spots and small blotches of indistinct 


brown and blackish brown. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Loon is a common summer resident in Northern New England. It is 
common all along the coast in winter and early spring, retiring to ponds and lakes 
in the interior to rear its young. The nest, which is built in June, is often large 
and bulky, and is placed in the rank herbage close to the water's edge on the 


main-land or on some small low island. It consists of a heap of grasses, weeds, 


erasses and weeds. 


and mud, well hollowed, and lined with finer g 


Horned Grebe. 
Podiceps cornutus. 
PLaTE XXIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— From four to seven in number, usually four or five; are ellipsoidal 
in form, and measure from 1.56 to 1.86 in length, by 1.12 to 1.21 inches in 
breadth. They are bluish white, with a white chalky covering, which soon 
becomes discolored and smeared from the bird’s feet and the wet materials of 


which the nest is composed, and look like diminutive Cormorant eges. 


fate 


(107) 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


The Horned Grebe is common along our coast, and on the ponds and streams 
of the interior, during the migrations. It proceeds to the north of New England 
to pass the period of incubation, although it occasionally breeds in Northern Maine, 
as itis now and then seen in that portion during the breeding season; and for 
further proof, Mr. Boardman procured a female with young but a few years ago, 
near Calais, Me. Audubon says: “Two nests which I found were placed at a 
distance of about four yards from the water’s edge, on the top of broken-down 
tussocks of rank weeds, the materials of which they were composed of the same 
nature, and rudely interwoven to a height of upwards of seven inches. They 
were rather more than a foot in diameter at the base; the cavity only four inches 
across, shallow, but more finished with finer plants, of which a quantity lay on 
the borders, and was probably used by the bird to cover the eggs when about to 


leave them.” 


Pied-billed Grebe; Dabchick. 
vdelymbus podiceps. 
PLaTE XXIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 


rs ig five or six, and they are scarcely 


fox 
oo 


Eces.— The usual complement of e 


distinguishable from those of the preceding species. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

The Dabchick is a summer resident throughout New England, and in the 
northern portion it breeds abundantly. The nest is placed close to the edge of 
Jakes, ponds, and rivers amongst the rushes, or farther out, a few yards from the 
shore, in the shallow water. It is a collection of rushes, weeds, grasses, and aquatic 
plants piled up into a large and bulky mass, until it-rests on the bottom, if close to 
the shore; if in deeper water, it floats. The middle is then hollowed out, and 
sometimes lined with a few finer materials. The eggs are almost invariably 
covered on the departure of the bird by a few materials of the nest, to conceal 


them from observation. 


(108) 


Common Puffin; Sea Parrot. 
Fratercula arctica. 
PLATE XXIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs.— But a single egg is laid; it is dull white, sometimes, when fresh, 
greenish, in ground color; oval (rather pointedly) in form, and soon becomes 
stained and soiled with yellowish. They are often marked with obscure purplish 
spots and blotches, and measure from 2.25 to 2.85 in length, by 1.45 to 1.85 
inches in breadth. The one represented in the plate is a more highly colored 
specimen than the average. 

NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

The breeding habitat of this peculiar looking bird is from the northeastern 
coast of Maine, northward. A few annually resort to the island of Grand Menan, 
and I have been informed by good authority that they breed sparingly on some 
of the rocky cliffs between Machias and Eastport, Maine. Farther north they 
breed in thousands on the clefts and in the crevices of rocky cliffs; also in the sides 
of bluffs, burrowing a horizontal hole in the earth to the depth of a couple of feet 
or more, for which their feet and powerful bills seem fully sufficient. Along the 
coast of Labrador and on Bird Rock they dig a burrow in the surface of the soil. 
Sometimes two birds are found sitting in the same burrow. The usual time of 


breeding is early in July. 


Black Guillemot; Sea Pigeon. 
Cria grylle. 
PLATE XXIV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eccs.— The usual complement of eggs is two, and often three. They are 


oval in form, and vary in ground color from a dull greenish white or light drab to 


€ 
pale yellow or buff, spotted and blotched with obscure lilac or slate color, and 
yellowish, reddish, and dark browns or black, chiefly about the larger end, where 


they often become confluent. They measure about 2.30 by 1.55 inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 
Breeds on the islands off the northeastern coast of New England, northward. 
They make no nest, but lay their eggs in holes and crevices, and such situations 


as the rocks and bowlders afford them. 


(109) 


Common Guillemot; Murre. 
Loma troile, 
PLATES XXIV. ano XXV. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Eccs. — The Common Guillemots lay only a single egg. They are pyriform 
in shape, and measure from 3 to 3.50 in length, by 1.95 to 2.10 inches in breadth. 
They vary from white to bluish or dark emerald green in ground color. Some 
varieties are occasionally white and unmarked, but they are usually beautifully 
spotted, blotched, or lined, with various tints of lilac, brown, and black. (See 
plates.) There is no bird whose eggs show a greater variation in ground color 
and markings than the present species, and for richness of coloring they are unsur- 
passed. In the plates, I have represented the most characteristic specimens, with 
the exception of Fig. 1 in Plate XXV., which is a remarkable variety, at least so far 


as the large number of specimens that have come under my observation. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 

The Common Guillemot is not uncommon on our coast in the winter months, 
and breeds from the northeastern coast of New England to the northward. It is 
usually abundant wherever it breeds, depositing its egg on the bare rock of some 
low island, or upon the shelves and juttings of precipitous rocky cliffs. They are 
laid close together, some of the more highly colored ones presenting a beautiful 


contrast with the rocks, which are whitewashed over by the excrement of the 


birds. Incubation commences about the first of June. 


Razor-billed Auk. 


CUfamania torifa. 


PLATE XXV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Eacs.— The Razor-bills usually lay but a single white or bluish white egg, 


though occasionally two, variously and boldly spotted, blotched, or scrawled with 
browns, yellows, and blacks of different intensity,—the markings often becoming 
confluent, and sometimes concealing the ground color at the larger end. They are 


oval in form, though many approach the pyriform shape; are not distinguishable 


(110) 


— 


from some of the varieties of the Common Guillemot, but are shorter in proportion 
to their breadth, and usually more rounded at the smaller end. They exhibit an 
almost endless variety in the distribution and manner of markings, and measure 


about 3 by 2 inches. 


NESTS AND BREEDING HABITS. 


In distribution the Razor-billed Auk is similar to the Common Guillemot, 
and breeds from the northeastern coast of Maine to the northward. The Razor- 
bill seldom deposits its eggs in open sight, usually concealing them beneath a 


rock or in a crevice. 


(111) 


INDEX. 


PAGE PLATE PAGE PLATE 

Auk, Razor-billed . . . . . = «10 XXV Cormorant, Common. . . .~ Tor XXI 
Bittern, American . 92 XIX Double-crested . IOI XXII 
Least 92 XIX Cow Bird . oe XL 

Black and White Creeper . 16 III Crake 95 Ox 
Blackbird, Cow. 52 XI Creeper, Black and White . 16 HI 
Crow 55 XII Brown. 12 I 
Red-winged a XI Crossbill, Common or Red. 41 Vill 
Black-throated Bunting 49 x Crow, Common . 7 XII 
Bluebird 9 I Cuckoo, Black-billed . 66 XIV 
Blue Jay . 57 XII Yellow-billed. 67 XIV 
Bobolink 51 XI Dabchick . 108 XXIV 
Bob-white . 84 XVUI Diver, Great Northern 107 XXIV 
Brown Creeper . 12 I Dove, Mourning or Wild 82 XVIII 
Bunting, Black-throated . 49 x Duck, Black . 96 OK 
Buzzard, Red tailed 78 XVI Dipper 99 XXI 
Canada Flycatcher 31 VI Dusky 96 x 
Canada Jay . 58 XII Eider . 98 XXI 
Catbird 8 I Fish 99 XXI 
Cedar Bird 36 VII Golden-eyed 98 XXI 
Chat, Yellow breasted 30 Vv Ruddy 99 XXI 
Cherry Bird . 36 VII Summer . 97 XXI 
Chewink 51 me Wood . 97 XXI 
Chickadee, Black-capped II II Eagle, Bald . 81 XVIII 
Hudsonian 11 I Golden 80 XVIII 

Chimney Swallow . 65 XIV White-headed . 81 XVIII 
Coot 96 XX Falcon, Peregrine . 76 XVI 


(113) 


Finch, Grass. 
Pine 
Purple 
Seaside 
Sharp-tailed 
Flycatcher, Acadian 
Canadian . 
Great-crested 
Least 
Olive-sided 
Pewee : 
Traill’s 
Yellow-bellied 
Gallinule, Common 
Florida 
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 
Golden-crested Kinglet 
Golden-crowned Thrush 
Goldfinch . 
Goosander 
Goshawk, American 
Grackle, Rusty 
Purple 
Grass Finch 
Great Carolina Wren. 
Grebe, Horned . 
Pied-billed . 
Grosbeak, Cardinal 
Pine. 
Rose-breasted 
Grouse, Canada 
Ruffed . 
Guillemot, Common 
Black 
Gull, Black-headed 
Common 
Great Black-backed 
Herring: @.*2 


Laughing . 


IIo 


109 


PLATE 
Vill 
VII 


VII 


XVIII 
XVIII 
XXIV, XXV 
XXIV 
XXIII 
XXII 
XXII 
XXII 


XXITI 


Harrier 
Hawk, Broad-winged . 
Cooper’s or Chicken 
Duck . 
Fish 
Gos 
Hen 
Marsh 
Night 
Pigeon 
Red-shouldered 
Red-tailed 
Sharp-shinned . 
Sparrow 
Heath Hen 
Heron, Great Blue 
Green 
Night 


House Wren. 


Humming-bird, Ruby-throated . 


Indian Hen 

Indigo Bird 

Jay, Blue . 
Canada . 

Juco 4-3. is 

King Bird 

Kingfisher, Belted . 


Kinglet, Golden-crested 


Large-billed Water Thrush . 


Lark, Meadow 
Linnet-; 
Long-billed Marsh Wren 
Loon 
Martin, Purple . 
Maryland Yellow-throat 
Meadow Lark 
Merganser 

Hooded 


Red-breasted . 


107 


53 


100 


100 


PLATE 


XXI 


XXI 


XXI 


Merlin . 
Mocking Bird 
Mud Hen. 
Murre 
Night Hawk . 
Nuthatch, Red-bellied 
White-bellied . 
Oriole, Baltimore 
Orchard . 
Osprey 
Oven Bird 
Owl, Acadian 
Barred . 
Great Horned 
Long-eared 
Mottled 
Saw-whet 
Screech. 
Short-eared 
Partridge, Spruce . 
Virginia 
Petrel, Leach’s . 
Pewee 
Phalarope, Red. 
Phoebe . 
Pigeon, Passenger or Wild. 
Pine Finch 
Pine Linnet . 
Plover, Kildeer . 
Piping 
Upland . 
Puffin, Common 
Purple Finch 
Qua-bird 
Quail 
Rail, Carolina 
Clapper 
Sora. 


Virginia 


PAGE PLATE 
Heh XVI 
8 r 
96 XX 

110 XXIV, XXV 
64 XIV 
{2 Il 
12 11 
54 XI 
So XI 
80 XVII 
on Vv 
13 XV 
73 XV 
70 XV 
2 XV 
71 XV 
73 XV 
71 XV 
2 XV 
83 XVII 
84 XVIII 

105 XXIV 
59 XII 
86 XVIII, XIX 
59 XH 
81 XVIII 
42 VIII 
42 Vil 
85 XVIII 
85 XVIII 
go xe 

109 XXIV 
41 VII 
gt <1 
84 XVIII 
94 Doe 
93 XX 
94 XX 
94 XX 


(115) 


Rail, Yellow . 
Raven 
Redstart 
Ringneck . 
Robin 
Ruby-throated Humming-bird 
Sandpiper, Bartram’s . 
Solitary 
Spotted 
Scarlet Tanager 
Sea Swallow . 
Parrot 
Pigeon 
Shag 
Sharp-tailed Finch. 
Sheldrake . 
Short-billed Marsh Wren 
Shrike, Loggerhead 


Small-billed Water Thrush . 


Snipe, American or Wilson’s . 


Snow Bird 

Sparrow, Bay-winged . 
Chipping 
Field . 


Henslow’s Yellow-winged . 


Savanna . 
Song . 
Swamp 
White-throated 
Yellow-winged 
Swallow, Bank 
3arn 
Chimney . 
Cliff, or Eave . 
Rough-winged 
White-bellied 
Tanager, Scarlet 
Teal, Blue-winged . 


Green-winged 


104 
109 
109 


IO 


PLATE 


xX 


XII 


VI 


XVIII 


Tern, -Arctie™. 
Common . 
Least 
Roseate 
Wilson’s 
Thrush, Brown 
Golden-crowned . 
Hermit. 
Large-billed Water 
Olive-backed . 
Small-billed Water. 
Song 
Tawny . 
Wilson’s 
Wood 
Towhee Bunting 
Vireo, Blue-headed 
Red-eyed 
Solitary 
Warbling. 
White-eyed 
Yellow-throated 
Warbler, Bay-breasted 


Blackburnian 


Black-capped Yellow . 


Black-poll 


Black-throated Blue 


Black-throated Green . 


Black and Yellow . 
Blue Yellow- backed 
Blue-winged Yellow 
Cape May 
Chestnut-sided 
Golden-winged 


Hooded 


PLATE 


XXIII 


XXIII 


XXIII 


XXIII 


XXIII 


I 


Vv 


I 


(116) 


Warbler, Magnolia . 
Mourning. 
Nashville . 
Pine-creeping 
Prairie . 

Summer 
Wilson’s Black-cap 
Worm-eating . 
Yellow . 
Yellow-rumped . 
Water Thrush, Large-billed 
Small-billed . 

Whippoorwill . 

Willet 

Winter Wren 

Woodcock . 

Wood Pewee. 

Woodpecker, Banded-backed 

Three-toed. 
Woodpecker, Black - backed 
Three-toed. 
Woodpecker, Downy . 
Golden-winged 
Hairy 
Pileated 
Red-headed 
Yellow-bellied 
Wren, Great Carolina. 
House 
Long-billed Marsh 
Short-billed Marsh 
Winter 
Yellow Bird . 
Yellow-breasted Chat . 


Yellow-throat, Maryland , 


XIV 


MITT 


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